Describe the Anatomy & Physiology of the Endocrine System Flashcards
What is the Endocrine System?
A set of organs that secrete hormones directly into the circulatory system
What are Hormones?
Various chemicals formed and then released by the body into the blood and act as signals to organs to perform various functions
What is a Gland?
A specific type of organ that secretes hormones into the blood to target and affect other organs
What are the major Glands in the Endocrine System?
Pineal, Pituitary, Thyroid and Parathyroid, Thymus, and Adrenal
What organs contain Endocrine tissue and produce Hormones?
Pancreas and the Ovaries or Testes
What is the Hypothalamus?
It’s apart of the brain and it controls the pituitary gland that sits just below it
Where is the Pineal Gland located?
Middle of the brain
Where is the Thyroid and Parathyroid located?
Found in the neck
Where are Adrenal Glands located?
On the top of each kidney
How does the Endocrine System regulate many body functions?
By controlling the timing and number of hormones released
All body systems are regulated by the ___ ___ in some way
Endocrine System
Some examples of regulation by the Endocrine System are:
Regulation of blood production, appetite, reproduction, brain function, sleep cycle, electrolyte balance, growth, sexual development, and response to stress and injury
___ and ___ secrete hormones into the blood to be transported to target organs and tissues to control their function
Glands, Organs
The Pancreas releases the hormone ___, which signals cells to uptake ___
Insulin, Sugar
High Blood Sugar levels can result in:
Insulin Resistance and Type II Diabetes
What is Type I Diabetes?
When the Pancreas can not produce enough insulin, the body’s own immune cells mistakenly destroy insulin-producing cells
What other hormone is released from the Pancreas when blood sugar levels drop?
Glucagon
Glucagon promotes the breakdown of:
Glycogen
Where is Glycogen stored?
Liver and in muscle cells
Glycogen is broken down into ___, which raises blood sugar levels
Glucose
Glucose can then be used by cells for:
Energy
What gland releases the hormone melatonin, which is involved in regulating sleep cycles?
The Pineal Gland
What Hormones can enter a cell and regulate DNA?
Lipid-based
What hormones are released in a pattern set by age and development, and their effects are long lasting?
Some nonpolar, fat-soluble hormones, such as estrogen and progestogen
What are Reproductive Hormones responsible for?
Gamete production
What Hormones are released in response to stress and their actions are short lived?
Polar, water-soluble hormones
Hormone receptors on the cell membrane causes:
Cellular changes to regulate and control body functions
What happens when the Adrenal Glands secrete Epinephrine into the bloodstream? And what is this called?
Heart rate, blood pressure, muscle strength, and metabolism increase
This is called the Fight-or-Flight response
What can cause metabolic diseases such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and gigantism?
Hormone imbalance
To diagnose Hyperthyroidism, doctors look for:
Elevated levels of thyroxine in the blood
What occurs when the pituitary gland makes too much growth hormone, causing excessive growth?
Gigantism
Hormone levels are often measured to determine:
If an endocrine-related disease is present
What system is involved in rapid communication within the body as it detects stimuli and coordinates responses quickly?
Nervous System
The Endocrine System is generally involved with ___ and ___ ___ responses to stimuli than the Nervous System
Slower, Long-Lasting
The integration of the Endocrine and Nervous Systems is called:
The activation of the Neuroendocrine System
The Hypothalamus of the brain directs the activities of the ___ gland.
Pituitary
Specialized cells in the Hypothalamus secrete Hormones called ___ or ___ to the Pituitary
Releasing Hormones or Inhibiting Hormones
An example of the activation of the neuroendocrine system:
Childbirth. During labor, the pressure of the fetus on the cervix sends signals through the nervous system to the hypothalamus, which results in oxytocin being secreted by the posterior pituitary gland. The hormone oxytocin stimulates contractions of the uterus and leads to childbirth
