Endocrine

Question 1

Comparing the Nervous system to the Endocrine system as methods of body control

Answer 1

Endocrine:
- Longer response time (seconds to days)
- Controls processes that take longer to occur
Nervous:
- Fast response time
- Controls response for things that need to happen very quickly

Question 2

Endocrine V Exocrine glands

Answer 2

Endocrine glands are:
- Ductless
- Release hormones into surround tissue fluid
Not only have dedicated glands but some organs have hybrid endocrine functions

Glands: Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenal, Hypothalamus, Thymus, Pineal, Pituitary

Organs: Gonads, pancreas, adipose tissue, digestive tract… etc

Question 3

What is a hormone?

Answer 3

A chemical messenger produced by an endocrine gland/tissue. They regulate metabolic function of other cells.

Question 4

How are hormones transported through the blood stream?

Answer 4

While travelling, hormones will either be:

Bound to transport proteins
- Common for Hydrophobic hormones to allow for water interaction
- Must dissociate from protein to leave blood stream

Unbound:
- Hydrophilic hormones travel this way (and some hydrophobic)

Question 5

How do hormones have their effect on cells?

Answer 5

They must bind to a receptor on their target cells in order to take effect. The receptors can either be:

Membrane-bound:
- Required second messenger inside cell

Intracellular receptors:
- Hormone is able to enter cell and binds to receptor floating in cytoplasm and enters nucleus