BP- Endocrine system Flashcards
What is the endocrine system?
A chemical system of communication in the body via the blood stream.
What do endocrine glands do?
Endocrine glands produce and secrete hormones into the blood stream which regulate many bodily functions.
Wht are target cells?
Target cells respond to a particular hormone because they have receptors for that hormone.
What is the role of the pituitary gland?
- It produces hormones that influence the release of other hormones from glands in the body.
What is the pituitary gland controlled by?
It is controlled by the hypothalamus, a region of brain just above the pituitary gland.
What is the role of the hypothalamus?
- The hypothalamus recieves info and sends a signal to the pituitary gland in the form of a releasing hormone.
This causes the pituitary gland to send a stimulating hormone into the blood stream to tell the target gland to release its hormone.
What are the two divisions of the pituitary gland?
1) The anterior pituitary gland
2) The posterior pituitary gland
What does the anterior pituitary gland do?
The ANTERIOR pituitary gland releases the hormone called ACTH which regulates levels of the hormone CORTISOL.
What does the posterior pituitary gland do?
The POSTERIOR pituitary gland is responsible for releasing the hormone OXYTOCIN which is crucial for INFANT/MOTHER bonding.
What are the two distinct parts of each adrenal gland? (2 adrenal glands in body)
1) Adrenal Cortex
2) Adrenal medulla
What does the adrenal cortex do?
- The adrenal cortex is the outer section of the adrenal gland.
- It produces the hormone cortisol which is produced in high amounts when someone is experiencing stress.
- It is also responsible for the cardiovascular system. E.g increases blood pressure and cause blood vessels to constrict.
what does the adrenal medulla do?
- The adrenal medulla is the inner section of the adrenal gland.
- It produces adrenaline, the hormone needed for fight or flight response.
- Activated when someone is acutely (suddenly) distressed.
- Adrenaline increases heart rate, dilates pupils and stops digestion.