CMB1004/L26 Hypothalamus & Pituitary Gland

Question 1

What type of hormones are released by the hypothalamus and pituitary?

Answer 1

Peptide hormones

Question 2

Describe the structure of the hypothalamus and pituitary. (3)

Answer 2

Hypothalamus in brain
Connected to pituitary by pituitary stock
Anterior and posterior pituitary

Question 3

What origin does the anterior pituitary have?

Answer 3

Ectodermal origin
From oropharynx and meets descending neurone

Question 4

What origin does the posterior pituitary have?

Answer 4

Neural origin
Contains nerve endings
Descends from ventral hypothalamus and 3rd ventricle

Question 5

Which of the two lobes of the pituitary secretes hormones?

Answer 5

Anterior pituitary

Question 6

Define the hypothalamic-pituitary axis.

Answer 6

Major site of interaction between the nervous and endocrine systems - exerts control over several endocrine glands and a number of physiological activities

Question 7

Give another name for the posterior pituitary.

Answer 7

Neuropophysis

Question 8

Give another name for the anterior pituitary.

Answer 8

Adenohypophysis

Question 9

Where are the posterior pituitary-stored hormones produced?

Answer 9

Magnocellular neurones of hypothalamus

Question 10

Give 2 examples of hormones stored in the posterior pituitary.

Answer 10

Oxytocin
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Question 11

What is the target tissue and major function of Thyrotropin-releasing hormone?

Answer 11

Thyrotrophs/lactotrophs
Strimulates TSH and prolactin release

Question 12

What is the target tissue and major function of Gonadotropin-releasing hormone?

Answer 12

Gonadotrophs
Stimulates FSH and LH release

Question 13

What is the target tissue and major function of Corticotropin-releasing hormone?

Answer 13

Corticotrophs
Stimulates adrenocorticotrophic hormone and prolactin release

Question 14

What is the target tissue and major function of Growth hormone-releasing hormone?

Answer 14

Somatotrophs
Stimulates growth hormone release

Question 15

What is the target tissue and major function of Growth hormone-inhibiting hormone (somatostatin)?

Answer 15

Somatotrophs
Inhibits growth hormone release
Inhibits gastrin, VIP, glucagon and insulin release

Question 16

What is the target tissue and major function of Dopamine?

Answer 16

Lactotrophs
Inhibits prolactin release

Question 17

Give another name for Growth hormone (GH).

Answer 17

Somatotropin

Question 18

Where is growth hormone synthesised?

Answer 18

Somatotrophs in anterior pituitary

Question 19

Give another name for Growth hormone-inhibiting hormone.

Answer 19

Somatostatin

Question 20

What is the effect of growth hormone on adipose tissue? (2)

Answer 20

Release of fatty acids
Enhances conversion to acetyl CoA

Question 21

What is the effect of growth hormone on glucose metabolism?

Answer 21

Reduced glucose metabolism and uptake especially in liver
Increased gluconeogenesis in liver

Question 22

What is the effect of growth hormone on IGF-1?

Answer 22

Increased production of insulin-like growth factor hepatically

Question 23

Give 3 long-term effects of GH via IGF-1.

Answer 23

Growth promoting action on bone, epiphyseal cartilage, soft tissue, gonads and viscera
Promotes amino acid uptake and protein synthesis
Insulin-like endocrine effects on tissues