B11 Hormonal Coordination

Question 1

What does the endocrine system do?

Answer 1

Coordinates the body’s organs so that they work together.

Question 2

What is the endocrine system based on?

Answer 2

The production of chemical messangers called hormones.

Question 3

What are hormones produced by?

Answer 3

Glands (endocrine glands) in different parts of the body. These chemical messangers are produced in very small quantities and are transported in the blood.

Question 4

What do hormones do?

Answer 4

• Control body processes that require several organs of the body to interact for a combined effect.
• Travel slower than nervous impulses but can cause longer lasting effects.
• They are delivered to all parts of the body but can have local effects.

Question 5

What are hormones used for?

Answer 5

To stabilize the body’s internal environment through homeostasis and also coordinate longer-term processes such as growth and sexual development.

Question 6

What can under or over activity of some endocrine glands cause?

Answer 6

Functional disorders like diabetes

Question 7

What is the role of the pituitary?

Answer 7

• Controls growth in children
• Stimulates the thyroid gland to make thyroxine to control the rate of metabolism.
• In women- stimulates the ovaries to produce and release eggs and make the female sex hormone oestrogen.
• In men- stimulates the testes to make sperm and the male sex hormone testosterone

Question 8

What does thyroid do?

Answer 8

Controls the metabolic rate of the body.

Question 9

What does the insulin do?

Answer 9

Controls the concentration of glucose in the blood

Question 10

What does the adrenal do?

Answer 10

Prepares the body for stressful situations- fight or flight response.

Question 11

What do the ovaries do?

Answer 11

Controls the development of the female secondary sexual charcteristics and is involved in the menstrual cycle.

Question 12

What do the testes do?

Answer 12

Controls the development of the male secondary sexual characteristics and is involved in the production of sperm.

Question 13

When the glucose levels are too high…

Answer 13

The pancreas detects a high blood glucose level.
The pancreas releases more insulin into the blood,
The absorbtion of glucose by the cells increases. The liver also converts glucose to glycogen and stores it.
The amount of glucose in the blood returns to normal level.

Question 14

When the glucose levels are too low…

Answer 14

The pancreas detect a low blood glucose level.
The pancreas releases glucogen into the blood
Glucogen converts the glycogen stored in the liver to glucose which is released into the blood restoring the glucose levels to normal.

Question 15

What is the cause of type 1 diabetes?

Answer 15

If your pancreas doesn’t create enough (or any) insulin, your blood glucose concentration is not controlled. You have type 1 diabetes.

Question 16

What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes?

Answer 16

Blood glucose levels get very high after you eat. Eventually your kidneys exrete glucose in your urine. You produce lots of urine and feel thirsty all the time. Without insulin, glucose cannot get into the cells of your body so you lack energy and feel tired.

Question 17

What is the cause of type 2 diabetes?

Answer 17

It common as people get older and is linked with obesity, lack of excercise or both.

Question 18

What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?

Answer 18

Increased thirst 
Frequent urination
Increased hunger
Fatigue
Blurred vision

Question 19

What is the link to ethnic groups for type 2 diabetes?

Answer 19

Black African
African Caribbean
South Asian

Question 20

What is the link to ethnic group for type 1 diabetes?

Answer 20

Caucasion

Question 21

What is testosterone?

Answer 21

Produced by the testes – is the main male reproductive hormone and it stimulates sperm production.

Question 22

What is oestrogen?

Answer 22

Produced by the ovaries – is the main female reproductive hormone.

Question 23

What is the function of the ovary?

Answer 23

The eggs mature here

Question 24

What is the function of the cervix?

Answer 24

Entrance to uterus

Question 25

What is the function of the uterus (womb)?

Answer 25

The fetus develops here

Question 26

What is the function of the vagina?

Answer 26

Receives sperm during sexual intercourse.

Question 27

What is the function of the fallopian tube (oviduct)?

Answer 27

Where the egg travels to the uterus and may be fertilised.

Question 28

What is the function of the scrotum?

Answer 28

Keeps the testes outside the body for maximum sperm production.

Question 29

What is the function of the penis?

Answer 29

Places sperm into the vagina

Question 30

What is the function of the sperm duct?

Answer 30

Carries sperm to the urethra

Question 31

What is the menstrual cycle?

Answer 31

It involves the preparation of the uterus lining so that it is able to receive a fertilised egg.

Question 32

What is the menstrual cycle controlled by?

Answer 32

A number of different sex hormones.

Question 33

How do chemical methods work?

Answer 33

Chemicals kill or disable sperm, these are known as spermicides.

Question 34

What are the advantages of chemical methods?

Answer 34

They are readily available

Question 35

What are the disadvantages of chemical methods?

Answer 35

Not very effective at preventing pregnancy

Question 36

How do intrauterine devices work?

Answer 36

Small structures inserted into the uterus by a doctor. Some contain copper and prevent any early embryos implanting in the line of the uterus. Others contain progesterone, releasing it slowly to prevent the build up of the uterus lining and to thicken to mucus of the cervix.

Question 37

What are the advantages of intrauterine devices?

Answer 37

They are very effective

Question 38

What are disadvantages if intrauterine devices?

Answer 38

Could cause period problems or infections.

Question 39

What is the method of infertility treatments?

Answer 39

1. Hormones are given to stimulate the ovaries to make lots of eggs mature at the same time.
2. Eggs are removed from the ovaries through suction of surgery.
3. Sperm is collected from the male.
4. Eggs and sperm are combined to allow fertilization.
5. 2-4 fertilised eggs are inserted into the uterus.

Question 40

What are the cons of infertility treatments (IVF)?

Answer 40

• Some Religions feel that it is wrong for humans to excercise control over their fertility.
• Some people feel IVF is wrong, as some of the embryos made are not allowed to develop into people.
• Some people think that infertile couples should adopt instead, as there are many orphaned children without homes.
• Expensive and success rates are not high
• Very emotionally and physically stressful.

Question 41

What are the pros of infertility treatment (IVF)?

Answer 41

• Get a baby. Helping people who usually can’t have children improves their life.
• The embryo can be tested for any genetic disorders before being implanted
• People can limit the size of their family.
• People can choose when to have children.

Question 42

What is FOLP?

Answer 42

F. Fhs. Matures egg. Stimulates/starts oestrogen production.

O. Oestrogen. Stops/inhibits FHS. Stimulates/starts LH.

L. Lh. Ovulation. Stops/inhibits oestrogen. Stimulates/starts progesterone.

P. Progesterone. Increases lining of the womb. Stops/inhibits LH.