Chapter 3 - Endocrine System

Question 1

What are Hormones? Compare these to neurotransmitters. How are and when are hormones released into the body?

Answer 1

Chemical messengers in bloodstream that regulate emotion and behaviour
Hormones are released in bursts throughout the day, for a few min.
Bind to special receptors on target cells (like neurotransmitters)
-work as hormones in endocrine system, and as neurotransmitters in nervous system
- work slower and over longer distances than neurotransmitters

Question 2

Define Endocrine system. Which glands does it include?

Answer 2

Glands that secrete hormones to blood for bodily functions. (Elicites chemicals)
Pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas, gonads (5)

Question 3

What is the Pituitary Gland? What does it do? What hormones does it secrete and are their functions? What connection does this have with the hypothalamus, the nervous system, and the adrenal glands?

Answer 3

“Master gland” - middle man
Receives messages from hypothalamus and relays them to tissues
Ex: to adrenal glands for fight or flight. (Autonomic nervous system) p.95

• HGh, and triggers parathyroids to release calcium
• oxytocin: prepares pregnant woman for birth (dilates cervix and relaxes vaginal walls), bonding hormone to child during breast feeding, bonding hormone released during sex

Question 4

What’s the thyroid’s function?

Answer 4

Drives metabolic activity

Issues is the thyroid can lead to weight gain or loss, or depression, and can be affected by nutrition.

Question 5

What do Adrenal Glands do? What does each part secrete?

Answer 5

In charge of salt and carb metabolism
>These affect the nervous system’s action potentials and energy in the form of glucose.
Fight or flight roles
1.adrenal cortex (outer): cortisol-glucose into bloodstream
2.adrenal medulla(inner): adrenaline-heart rate, BP, energy supply

Question 6

What does the pancreas do?

Answer 6

Regulates sugar metabolism with insulin

Insulin: lowers blood sugar, either triggers storing glucose or burning it (using as energy)

Question 7

Oxytocin

Answer 7

The love hormone
Secreted from pituitary gland to prepare a woman for birth and breastfeeding, adult-adult pairing, fosters empathy and trust

Question 8

Gonads

Answer 8

Sexual glands
Gonadotropin hormones (released by master Pit.)
Secondary sex characteristic & sexual identity

Question 9

Parathyroid glands

Answer 9

Calcium production and therefore growth (till 25)