Endocrine Flashcards
What is Glucagon
A hormone that increases blood sugar
What is Glycogen
A polysaccharide that is made from excess glucose
What is Insulin
A hormone that decreases blood sugar
How does Insulin work
It allows glucose to enter a cell
Where is excess glucose stored
Muscle + Liver
How long is excess glucose stored
24 hours max
Name all of the endocrine glands + their function
- Pineal Gland (melatonin for sleep)
- Pituitary Gland (many hormones + growth hormone)
- Thyroid gland (Thyroxin/metabolism)
- Adrenal glands (Adrenaline)
- Pancreas (Insulin/glucagon)
- Ovary/Testes (Estrogen/Testosterone)
What is the Pituitary gland’s job
to instruct other glands to perform their functions and to release growth hormone + other hormones
What is Giantism/Dwarfism
Too much or little growth hormone
How does a hormone communicate with a cell?
It connects to the receptors of specific target cells
What does the Endocrine gland’s goal?
To maintain homeostasis
How does is a target cell determined
Based on the shape of its receptors, it defines its ability to connect with a specific hormone. Think of enzymes or immunoglobulins
What does Thyroxin do
Regulates chemical reactions rate within the body. Function is to maintain homeostasis
What causes Goiter and what does Goiter cause
An enlargement of the thyroid gland, stopping thyroxin production. Caused by a lack of iodine
What is Type II diabetes
The body makes less insulin than it used to and becomes more resistant to insulin, causing blood sugar to become unregulated
What is Type I diabetes
Immune system attacks beta cells and stops Insulin production
What is another name of Type I and Type II diabetes
Juvenile Diabetes/Adult Diabetes
When does the body become almost completely resistant to insulin in Type II diabetes
Adulthood
What are some of the effects of diabetes
- Uncontrolled blood sugar
- Cardiovascular damage
- Nerve Damage
- Kidney Damage
- Eye Damage
- Foot Damage
What are the two feedback mechanisms
Positive and negative
Where are the alpha and beta cells located in the pancreas
The Islet of Langerhans
What do the alpha cells do?
produce glucagon
What is positive feedback
Constant increase of hormone until stimulus is gone
What is negative feedback
A feedback system that stimulates or inhibits the release of hormone based on the stimulus. Think of an oscillating cycle. One causes the other.
Give an example of Positive feedback
- During labor, positive feedback causes contractions to occur
- fruit ripening
- Clot formation
- Menstrual cycle
Give an example of Negative feedback
- Body temperature
- Blood sugar management
Is the release of Glucagon and Insulin positive or negative feedback
Both are Negative feedback loops
What area of the brain controls hormone release?
Hypothalamus and the Pituitary gland
What does the Hypothalamus do
it controls the Pituitary gland and the release of hormone. Also known as the Master Gland
What does the Pituitary gland do
It controls the release of many hormones.
Most notably, growth hormone.
Which part of the autonomic nervous system controls the release of glycogen and glucose from the liver?
Sympathetic
Which part of the autonomic nervous system controls the release of Insulin and Glucagon from the pancreas?
Parasympathetic
How does Glucagon work?
Glucagon breaks down the polysaccharide, Glycogen, into glucose and allows it to enter the cell so energy can be provided
