B11 - Hormonal Coordination Flashcards
What is the endocrine system?
A system of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
What is the role of the pituitary gland?
- Contols growth in children
- Stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroxine
- in women it stimulates the ovaries to produce eggs and oestrogen
- in men it stimulates the testes to create sperm and testosterone
What is the purpose of the thyroid?
• controls the metabolic rate in the body
What is the purpose of the pancreas?
• to regulate glucose levels in the blood
What is the purpose of the adrenal gland?
- preoares the body for stressful “fight or flight” situations
- releases adreneline
What is the purpurse of the ovaries?
- controls female secondary sex characteristics
* involved in the menstrual cycle
How does the body react to low blood glucose levels?
- The pancreas releases glucagon
- glucagon releases glycogen from the liver into the blood
- normal blood sugar is achieved
How does the body react to high glucose levels?
- Insulin is released by the pancreas
- cells are stimulated to absorb glucose
- glucose converted into glycogen in the liver for storage
What is type 1 diabetes?
- Cells are destroyed by the immune system meaning less insulin is produced
- This keeps blood sugar levels high
What is type 2 diabetes?
- Insulin receptors are weak due to desensitisation
* this means less glucose is absorbed by cells when insulin is released
What is FSH?
- Stimulates the growth of eggs
* Stimulates the release of oestrogen
What is LH?
- Stimulates the release of an egg
- Inhibits Oestrogen
- Stimulates Progesterone
What is Progesterone?
- Builds up the lining if the womb
* Inhibits LH
What are the positives of IVF?
- Allows eggs to be stored in case a women wants to become pregnant
- Allows people with ovary or oviduct problems to concieve
What are the disadvantages of IVF?
- Very expensive
- Not allways successful
- can cause multiple pregnancies or premature birth
