Chapter 16- The endocrine system Flashcards
Hormones
Long distance chemical messengers that cause a change in metabolic activity of a cell. Effects are usually long lasting and are diverse
What factors do hormones control (4)
- Reproduction- gametes
- Growth and development- bone growth, mitotic activity, etc.
- Immune system activation- when pathogens get in
- Maintenance of various blood components (glucose, electrolytes, water, etc.).
Autocrine
Short distance chemical messengers- affect the same cells that secrete the messenger
Paracrine
Short distance chemical messengers- affect different cells that secrete the messenger in the same tissue
What does the chemical structure of hormones determine? (3)
Chemical structure determines longevity, transport in blood, and receptivity
Two major classifications of hormones
- Amino acid based
2. Steroids
Amino acid based hormones
Molecular size varies- amino acid derivatives, peptides, proteins. Epinephrine is an example of an amino acid derivative. Water soluble- can circulate without a carrier (chaperone to get to target cells/tissues). This is because blood is water based.
Steroid hormones
Synthesized from cholesterol. Lipid soluble- circulate with a carrier molecule. Can pass straight through the membrane of the target cell
What are the only steroid hormones in the body?
Gonadal hormones and adrenocortical hormones are the only steroid hormones in the body
Hormones can only affect a cell if
Hormones can only affect target cells with appropriate receptors. Different receptors= different response
Changes produced by hormone binding (5)
- Altering plasma membrane permeability or membrane potential, caused when ion channels open
- Stimulates synthesis of enzymes/proteins inside cell
- Activates/deactivates enzymes
- Induces sensory activity
- Stimulates mitosis
Two mechanisms of hormone action
- Second messenger systems
2. Intracellular systems
Second messenger systems
Uses receptors found on surface of plasma membrane. A ligand (hormone in this case) binds to a receptor, which then activates the G-protein inside the cell. The G-protein activates intracellular second messenger- causes response in cell. This is extremely efficient- a single hormone binding a receptor results in millions of product molecules being produced
Mechanism of action for amino acid based hormones
Second messenger systems
Intracellular systems
Hormone enters cell, binds to intracellular receptors. Receptor hormone complex- binds specific regions of DNA- DNA transcription occurs. Effect- certain proteins produced in larger numbers
Intracellular systems steps (5)
- The steroid hormone diffuses through the plasma membrane and binds an intracellular receptor
- The receptor hormone complex enters the nucleus
- The receptor hormone complex binds a specific DNA region
- Binding initiates transcription of the gene to mRNA
- The mRNA directs protein synthesis
How is hormone synthesis and release controlled?
Hormone synthesis and release is controlled by negative feedback mechanisms. Importance- hormone levels need to be precisely regulated. If we produce too much or too little, homeostatic imbalances would result very quickly.
Stimulus mechanisms for hormone release (3)
- Humoral stimuli
- Neural stimuli
- Hormonal stimuli
Humoral stimuli
Changing blood levels of critical ions and nutrients. Ex- monitoring calcium levels by the parathyroid gland
Neural stimuli
Nerve fibers stimulate hormone release, this is infrequent. Ex- norepinephrine and epinephrine release by sympathetic nervous system
Hormonal stimuli
Hormone released in response to other hormones. Ex- hypothalamic hormones stimulate or inhibit anterior pituitary gland
Target cells only respond to a hormone if
It has a specific receptor protein for that hormone. Can be specific (only cells of a certain tissue) or broad (all body cells)
Hormone activation of a cell depends on
- Blood levels of hormone
- Number of receptors for specific hormone on/in cell
- Affinity of receptor to hormone
Up regulation
Increased receptor number in response to low hormone levels. This increases the sensitivity of the receptors to the hormone, so the receptors are more likely to respond.
Down regulation
Decreased receptor number in response to high hormone levels
Hormone concentration in the blood depends on (2)
- How fast it is being released by endocrine organ
2. How fast it is broken down by the body
Which organs remove hormones?
Kidneys, liver. Hormones are circulated through the blood, so they must be broken down that way too.
What type of hormones have the shortest half life?
Water soluble hormones (amino acid based)
Duration of hormone effects on the target cell
Hormone effect is not always immediate- effects seen after hours or days. Some hormones must be activated before binding can occur, and the duration of the effect varies.
What happens if a hormone isn’t activated?
If the hormone isn’t activated, it will not bind regardless of how much of the hormone is released.
Importance of the variation of hormone effects
Importance- variation of effects= strict control of hormone release. Effects can disappear as levels drop or can persist for hours after levels drop
Hormones binding on the same target cell at the same time may result in (3)
- Permissiveness
- Synergism
- Antagonism
Permissiveness
One hormone cannot have full effect without binding of a second specific hormone. Lack of the second hormone may relay or completely inhibit effects of first
Synergism
2+ hormones with similar effects bind target cell- amplification occurs. Not the same as positive feedback the response- doesn’t fly out of control
Antagonism
One hormone opposes the effect of another- hormones can compete for the same receptor, act through different metabolic pathways, or they can down-regulate the receptor of another hormone
How is the pituitary gland connected to the hypothalamus?
By the infundibulum
Two regions of the pituitary gland
- Anterior pituitary
2. Posterior pituitary
Anterior pituitary
Manufactures and releases several different hormones
Posterior pituitary
Composed mostly of neural tissue and nerve fibers. Releases neurohormones received from hypothalamus
How is the release of hormones from the pituitary controlled by the hypothalamus? (1 of 2)
- Action potentials from the hypothalamus cause hormone release from axon terminals in the posterior pituitary
- Hypothalamic hormones released into the hypophyseal portal system- stimulate or inhibit hormone release from the anterior pituitary
Posterior pituitary and hypothalamic hormones (2)
- Oxytocin
2. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Oxytocin functions
Functions- stimulant for uterine contraction, “cuddle hormone”. Neurotransmitter in brain- promotes nurturing, couple bonding, trust, affectionate behavior. Also stimulates milk producing glands to contract during breastfeeding
What stimulates the posterior pituitary to release oxytocin during childbirth?
Stretching of cervix during childbirth sends afferent impulses to the hypothalamus- stimulates posterior pituitary to release hormone. Release increases as labor progresses, stops soon after birth. Speeds up labor overall
ADH function
Function- prevents formation of urine by the kidneys- the kidneys reabsorb more water
Importance- prevents dehydration or water overload
What are the stimuli for ADH release?
Osmoreceptors in hypothalamus monitor solute concentration. If the solute concentration is high- release ADH. If it’s low- prevent ADH release. Other stimuli for ADH release includes pain, low blood pressure, some drugs (nicotine, morphine, barbiturates)
Tropins
Hormones that affect the activity of another endocrine gland. 4/6 of the anterior pituitary hormones are tropins. The anterior pituitary is not considered the master endocrine gland because it is controlled by the hypothalamus, however.
Anterior pituitary hormones (6)
- Growth hormone
- Thyroid stimulating hormone
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
- Follicle Stimulating hormone (gonadotropin)
- Luteinizing hormone (gonadotropin)
- Prolactin
Growth hormone general function
Aids in metabolic and growth promoting actions