Check Your Understanding - Endocrine System

Question 1

What differentiates an endocrine gland from an exocrine gland?

Answer 1

Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones right into the blood

Exocrine Glands secrete hormones through a duct into other organs or out of the body

Question 2

What is the “inactive” form of insulin?

Answer 2

Proinsulin

Question 3

Hormones enter circulation and therefore are widespread throughout the body. What allows hormones to have tissue specific effects?

Answer 3

Hormones exert tissue-specific effects through the presence of specific hormone receptors on target cells, which are only found in certain tissues or organs. These receptors allow hormones to bind and initiate signaling pathways, resulting in specific physiological responses in the target tissues while minimizing effects in other areas of the body.

Question 4

Where are steroid hormone receptors found? What impact do steroid hormones have on the cell?

Answer 4

Steroid receptors are found inside the cell and alter gene transcription and ultimately the function of the cell

Question 5

What are the three ways in which hormone secretion is controlled? Provide an example of each.

Answer 5

By secretion of a NT
Release of Insulin when [glucose] is high

By secretion of another hormone
Secretion of TSH release T3 and T4

By blood [Plasma] levels
PTH released by decreased [Ca2+] increases bone resoption and increases [Ca2+]

Question 6

What hormones are secreted by the adrenal medulla? What about the adrenal cortex?

Answer 6

Adrenal Medulla - Epi and Noraepi

Adrenal Cortex - Aldosterone, Cortisol, DHEA, Androgens

Question 7

How do the connections between the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary differ from the connections between the hypothalamus and the posterior pituitary?

Answer 7

Anterior is connected via blood vessels while posterior is connected vis nerves

Question 8

What is one function of oxytocin? Which gland releases this hormone?

Answer 8

Posterior Pituarity Gland helps in childbirth to increase secretions.

Question 9

Provide one example of a hypophysiotropic hormone, the anterior pituitary hormone it controls, and the endocrine gland controlled by the anterior pituitary hormone

Answer 9

GnRH or growth hormone releasing hormone stimulates the secretion of LH leutinzing hormone and FSH follicle Stimulating Hormone