Chapter 16 - The Endocrine System Flashcards
Exocrine Glands
Produce saliva, milk, HCl, for example.
Endocrine Glands
Release hormones into the blood and lymph nodes. Include following glands:
- Pituitary
- Thyroid
- Parathyroid
- Adrenal
- Pineal
- Thymus
- Pancreas
- Gonads
Hormones
Chemical substances secreted by cells. They regulate metabolic funtions
Amino Acid based Hormones
Most of the hormones in the body.
- AA Derivatives: Catecholamines like epinephrine, dopamine, thyroid hormones, and melatonin.
- Peptide Hormones: Ex, ADH, oxytocin, GH, and prolactin
Steroids
Lipid Derivatives. Structurally related to cholesterol.
Eicosanoids
Lipid derivatives, include prostaglandins.
Target Cell Specificity
Hormones only target specific cells which have the correct receptors on their membrane. The hormones then change the activity of the target cell.
Factors Influencing Target Cell Activation
- The blood levels of the hormones.
- The number of receptors on the target cell
- The affinity of the hormone and the receptor
Mechanisms of Hormone Action
- Produce a chance in the plasma membrane permeability or electrical state.
- Synthesize proteins and enzymes
- Produce enzyme activation or deactivation.
- Induce secretion
Second Messenger System
Nearly all water soluble hormones cannot pass through the lipid membrane of a cell so they act through a second messenger. The hormone binds to a receptor on the membrane, which delivers a signal to an enzyme. The activated enzyme is the second messenger which converts ATP to cyclic AMP and this initiates a cascade of chemical reactions
Direct Gene Activation
Lipid soluble hormones, such as steroids, can pass right though the membrane and bind to receptors within the cytoplasm or nucleus. This interacts with chromatin where the hormones bind to the DNA protein and turns on DNA transcription of RNA to direct protein synthesis
Third Messenger
If calcium levels are changed by the second messenger system, it then acts as a third messenger.
Hormone Regulation
Synthesis and release of hormones is regulated by negative feedback where rising hormone levels inhibit further hormone release.
Hormonal Stimuli
Pituitary gland secretes ACTH hormone which stimulates glucocorticoid hormone secretion by the adrenal cortex. Once secreted, glucocorticoid influences various organs. Once the organs are influenced, it exerts a negative feedback on the adrenal cortex inhibiting ACTH production.
Humoral Stimuli
Level change of certain ions and nutrients which stimulates hormone release.
Neural Stimuli
Nerve fibers that actually stimulate hormone release.
Nervous System Control
Stimulus and feedback inhibitions can be moderated by the nervous system. The hypothalamus releases regulatory hormones into the blood to influence the activity of the anterior pituitary glad.
Pituitary Gland
Consists of 2 lobes. The posterior which is a storage area that receives hormones from the hypothalamus. The anterior which is the glandular part, it manufactures and releases 6 hormones. 4 are tropic, and control other endocrine glands, the other 2 on non endocrine targets. All work via second messenger systems.