Biopsychology- The Endocrine System

Question 1

What does the endocrine system involve?

Answer 1

Glands and hormones

Question 2

What is a gland?

Answer 2

A group of cells that are specialised to secrete a useful substance such as a hormone

Question 3

What are hormones?

Answer 3

‘Chemical messengers’ that are often proteins or peptides

Question 4

When are hormones secreted?

Answer 4

When a gland in stimulated

Question 5

How can glands be stimulated? (2 ways)

Answer 5

• By a change in concentration of a specific substance
• By electrical impulses

Question 6

How do hormones travel?

Answer 6

They diffuse directly into the blood and taken around the body by the circulatory system

Question 7

Where do hormones diffuse out of the blood?

Answer 7

All over the body

Question 8

How will each hormone bind?

Answer 8

To specific receptors

Question 9

Where do hormones trigger a response?

Answer 9

In the target cells

Question 10

What is the endocrine system responsible for?

Answer 10

Regulating a large number of bodily functions

Question 11

What is the role of the hypothalamus?

Answer 11

Produces hormones that control the pituitary gland

Question 12

What is the pituitary gland?

Answer 12

Known as the ‘master gland’ as it releases hormones to control other glands in the endocrine system

Question 13

What is the role of the pineal gland?

Answer 13

Responsible for the production of melatonin which plays a role in the control of sleep patterns

Question 14

What is the role of the thyroid gland?

Answer 14

Produces thyroxine and controls metabolic rate and regulates growth and maturation

Question 15

What is the role of the parathyroid glands?

Answer 15

Produces the parathyroid hormone which helps to control levels of minerals within the body

Question 16

What is the role of the thymus gland?

Answer 16

Regulates the immune system

Question 17

What is the role of the adrenal glands?

Answer 17

Produce adrenaline and responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ response

Question 18

What is the role of the pancreas?

Answer 18

Releases insulin and glucagon which regulate blood sugar level

Question 19

What is the role of ovaries and testes?

Answer 19

Produce sex hormone which are important in reproduction, the development of sex organs and secondary sexual characteristics

Question 20

Why is chemical communication slower than electrical communication?

Answer 20

Hormones must travel in the blood and aren’t released directly onto target cells

Question 21

Why can the effect of hormones last a long time?

Answer 21

As they aren’t broken down as quickly as neurotransmitters

Question 22

Why can the response from hormones be widespread?

Answer 22

As hormones are transported all over the body

Question 23

When does the ‘fight or flight’ response happen?

Answer 23

When the body is threatened

Question 24

What happens in the initial shock response with the hypothalamus?

Answer 24

The hypothalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system

Question 25

What happens after the hypothalamus triggers the SNS?

Answer 25

Stimulates the adrenal medulla within adrenal glands which releases adrenaline and noradrenaline into the blood stream

Question 26

What are the physiological responses in the ‘fight or flight’ response? (7 points)

Answer 26

• Blood pressure and heart rate increase
• Inhibits digestion
• Muscles become tense
• Perspiration increases
• Breathing rate increases
• Pupils dilate
• Inhibits salivation