B11-Hormonal coordination Flashcards
What is the endocrine system?
The endocrine system is composed of glands that secrete chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream. The blood carries the hormone to a target organ where it produces an effect.
What other system does the Endocrine system work together with?
The endocrine system works alongside the nervous system to coordinate and control your
body, reacting to changes in the internal and external environment (homeostasis).
Compare the effects of hormones in the endocrine system in comparison to the nervous system
The effects of hormones in the endocrine system are often slower but longer lasting
Name the key endocrine glands (6)
- pituitary
- thyroid
- pancreas
- adrenal gland
- ovaries
- testes
What is the role of the Pituitary gland?
The pituitary gland is the master gland and secretes several hormones into the blood stream to response to body conditions. Some of these hormones act on other glands and stimulates them to release hormones to bring about specific effects.
What are insulin and glucagon
Hormones
What organ releases insulin and glucagon?
Pancreas
What effect does insulin have on the blood glucose levels?
Lowers the level by;
- more glucose taken in by cells
- glucose converted to glycogen in the liver
- cells respire more (to use up the glucose)
Whats effect does glucagon have on the blood glucose levels?
Increases it by;
- liver breaks down glycogen back to glucose
- amnio acids/ fats broken down
What is type 1 diabetes?
When the pancreas doesn’t secrete (produce) enough insulin, so blood glucose levels can rise fatally high
What is type 2 diabetes?
When the body stops responding to its own insulin
What causes type 1 diabetes?
this is inherited through genes and usually starts in young children and teenagers
What causes type 2 diabetes?
- it is caused by obesity, a lack of exercise and a diet with too much sugar
- usually more common with older people 50-70 (more or less)
How is type 2 diabetes treated?
By a carbohydrate controlled diet and exercise, and if this doesn’t work then drugs may be used, or insulin injection if non of these work
How is type 1 diabetes treated?
By injecting insulin to replace the hormone that is not made in the body
Where are FSH hormones secreted from?
Pituitary gland
What are the roles of FSH hormones?(2)
- to mature eggs
- and stimulate the ovaries to produce oestrogen
Where are LH hormones secreted from?
Pituitary gland
What is the role of LH hormones?
Stimulates ovaries to release eggs
Where is the oestrogen hormone secreted?
Ovaries
What are the roles of oestrogen?(3)
- to stimulate LH production
- to inhibit(hold back) FHS production
- stimulates lining of the uterus to develop
What does FSH stand for?
Follicle stimulating hormone
What does LH stand for?
Luteinising hormone
Describe the negative feedback in the menstrual cycle
Oestrogen switches off any further of FSH, which are hormones that cause the eggs to mature. So as oestrogen level rises, less FSH is produced preventing more eggs maturing
Contraceptive pill
Contains low doses of oestrogen and progesterone. This inhibits the production and release of FSH by the pituitary gland, affecting ovaries so no eggs mature preventing pregnancy
- easy to use
- but slight risk of side effects (breast cancer…)and have to take regularly
Contraceptive implant
Tiny tubes inserted under your skin by doctors, which slowly release progesterone, which stimulates the production of which mucus which prevents any sperm getting through and reaching the eggs
- last up to 3years and 99.95% effective
Contraceptive patch
Contains oestrogen and progesterone. You stick the latch under your skin
-replaced every 7days
Whats are barrier method?examples?
Methods of contraception that prevent the sperm reaching the egg
Condoms
Diaphragms/ caps
What are spermicides?
Chemicals that kill or disabled sperm, however nit very effective at preventing pregnancy
When do people take surgical contraceptive methods?
When you don’t want any more children, they are surgically sterilised.
E.g vasectomy
What are women with very low levels of FSH given to help with fertility?
FSH and LH are given in a fertility drug to stimulate ovulation
What are the Pros and Cons of treating infertility with FSH and LH fertility drugs?
Pros: helps fertility
Cons: -doesn’t always work, which can make the process very expensive
- too many eggs could be stimulates leading to unexpected multiple pregnancies
What does IVF stand for?
In vitro fertilisation
What are the pros and cons of IVF treatment?
Pros:can give an infertile couple a child
Cons:- multiple births, if more than one embryo grows into a baby, brings the risk of still births and miscarriages
- low success rate, making the process very stressful
- physically stressful (as some experience abdominal pain, vomiting…)
Why do some people belief that IVF is ethically wrong?
As unused embryos are destroyed and some belief that those are alive (potential human live)
Explain the process of IVF
- FSH and LH are given to woman to stimulate eggs to matures
- eggs are collected from ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a lab
- fertilised eggs grows into embryos in a lab incubator
- once the embryos are tiny balls of cells they are transferred into the woman’s uterus to improve the chances of pregnancy.
