Endocrine 1 Flashcards
What is the endocrine system?
The endocrine system is a series of glands that produce and secrete hormones that the body uses for a wide range of functions
The hormones are secreted into the bloodstream and taken around the body until they encounter their target issue which have their receptors
Differentiate hormones and neurotransmitters?
Hormones- are secreted by the endocrine gland/cell into blood. Only target tissues with the receptors will have a response
Neurotransmitters- are secreted by neurons that diffuse across a small gap to the target cell. Neurons also use electric signals
What are neurohormones?
Are chemicals released by neurons into blood for action on target tissue/cells at distant sites
Distinguish lipid and water soluble hormones
Lipid soluble hormones act within the cell and change gene expression. Act slowly in contrast to peptide hormones
Water soluble hormones bind to receptor on cell membrane and usually involve second messengers. Act faster than steroid hormones
Describe the characteristics of lipid soluble hormones( steroids, thyroid hormones)
Receptors inside the cell, usually in the nucleus
Intracellular action- stimulates synthesis of specific new proteins
Storage- synthesized as needed, exception: thyroid hormones
Plasma transport- attached to proteins that serve as carriers, exceptions: adrenal androgens
Half life: long(hours, days)inversely proportional to affinity for protein carrier
Describe the characteristics water-soluble hormones( peptides, proteins)
Receptors- outer surface pt the cell membrane
Intracellular action- production of second messengers, e.g., cAMP;
insulin doesn’t utilize cAMP, instead activates membrane-bound tyrosine kinase
Second messengers modify action of intracellular proteins. (Enzymes)
Storage- stored in vesicles
-in some cases, prohormone stored in vesicle along with an enzyme that splits off the active hormone
Plasma transport- dissolved in plasma( free, unbound)
Short(minutes) inversely proportional to molecular weight
Explain equilibrium
The liver normally produces proteins that bind lipid soluble hormones e.g. cortisol- binding globulin, thyroid-binding globulin
Lipid soluble hormone circulaating in plasma bound to protein is in equilibrium with a small amount of free hormone
It is the free form that is available to the tissues and thus the free unbound form that normally determine the plasma activity
Note: it is the free form that creates negative feedback
How to calculate”clusters total hormone in blood?
Total hormone in blood= bond+ free
Active hormone= free hormone
Briefly describe hormonal control
There are 3 major mechanism:
- Humoral—> control by substances in the extracellular fluid(ECF)
- Neural—> controlled by nerves at the inner sting gland
- Hormonal—> control by other glands
Note: negative feedback is very important in regulating most endocrine systems
Explain the clearance of hormones
- largest fraction degraded in liver, the kidneys play a significant role
- urine is the primary route of excretion of hormone degraded products
- peptide hormones are degraded mainly by proteases in target tissue. Catabolism of steroid and thyroid hormones makes them soluble in bile and urine
What are the types of endocrine disorders?
Primary and secondary
Primary and secondary can both be further categorized by hyper function and hypo function
What is an endocrine disorder?
Primary disorder means dysfunction originating in the endocrine gland either hyper or hypo-function while secondary disorder indicates a disturbance has occurred causing the gland to secrete more or less of the hormone
Give examples of primary and secondary endocrine disorders
Primary
- Conn’s syndrome—> excess aldosterone from adrenal adenoma
- Central diabetes insipidus—> reduced ADH secretion
Secondary
1. Cushing disease—> pituitary adenoma secreting ACTH resulting in hypercotisolism
What is endocrine hyper function caused by?
- Hormone secreting tumors
- Hyperplasia
- Autoimmune stimulation
- Ectopically produced peptide hormone (ACTH, ADH)
What is endocrine hypofunction caused by?
- Autoimmune disease
- Tumors
- Infection
- Hemorrhage