Endocrine and Exocrine glands

Question 1

What are glands?

Answer 1

• Epithelial cells that produce secretions

- Ectodermal origin (the outer most three primary germinal layers of an embryo)

Question 2

What is an exocrine gland?

Answer 2

A gland that secretes into ducts

Question 3

What is an endocrine gland?

Answer 3

A gland that secretes directly into the blood stream

- Secretions known as hormones

Question 4

Where can endocrine glands be found?

Answer 4

• Part of epithelial surface such as lining of digestive tract
• Separate organs such as thyroid or pituitary gland

Question 5

What is the function of endocrine glands?

Answer 5

Regulation of bodily functions & maintain homeostasis

Question 6

What is the chronic pattern of hormone secretion?

Answer 6

• Same amount is released every time continuously

Question 7

What is the episodic pattern of hormone secretion?

Answer 7

• Similar level of secretions after a stimulus has been added

Question 8

What is the acute pattern of hormone secretion?

Answer 8

• Secreted only when needed - amount varies depending on the stimuli

Question 9

What is humoral regulation of hormone secretion?

Answer 9

• Blood-borne molecules (relating to bodily fluids)

- e.g. high glucose levels stimulates insulin secretion

Question 10

What is the neural regulation of hormone secretion?

Answer 10

• Neurones stimulate hormone production

- e.g. SNS stimulates epinephrine release

Question 11

What is the hormonal regulation of hormone secretion?

Answer 11

• Hormone secretion stimulates another hormone to be secreted
• e.g. hormones from the pituitary gland stimulate tests to make testosterone

Question 12

What is calcitonin important for?

Answer 12

Controlling levels of calcium in the body

Question 13

What does the parathyroid gland secrete?

Answer 13

Parathyroid hormone - extremely important for bone health

Question 14

What is the effect of hyper-parathyroidism on bone?

Answer 14

Too much bone resorbed

Question 15

What does parathyroid hormone do?

Answer 15

Helps bring calcium level up if low

Question 16

What are the 2 ways exocrine glands can be classified by?

Answer 16

• Their structure

- Their method of secretion

Question 17

How can you class exocrine glands by their structure?

Answer 17

• Unicellular glands

- Multicellular glands

Question 18

What are the subtypes of multicellular exocrine glands?

Answer 18

• Secretory sheet = simple multicellular gland

- Pockets of gland cells set back from epithelial surface

Question 19

What is a merocrine gland?

Answer 19

• Substance produced in vesicles - vesicles travel to surface and are secreted

Question 20

What is an apocrine gland?

Answer 20

• Portion of cell stored in upper most part - separated from rest of cell and secreted

Question 21

What is a holocrine gland?

Answer 21

• Completely separated - entire cell shed into duct

Question 22

What is a serous secretion?

Answer 22

• Watery secretion containing enzymes

Question 23

What is a mucous secretion?

Answer 23

• Secrete mucins which hydrate to form mucous

Question 24

What are mixed glands?

Answer 24

• Contains both mucous and serous secretions

Question 25

What are the major salivary glands?

Answer 25

Parotid, submandibular and sublingual

Question 26

What organ in the body contains glands that are both exocrine and endocrine?

Answer 26

The pancreas

Question 27

What is the endocrine part of the pancreas?

Answer 27

Islets of Langerhans: - Beta cells (insulin) - Alpha cells (glucagon) - Delta cells (somatostatin and gastrin)

Question 28

What percentage of the pancreas is endocrine cells?

Answer 28

About 1%

Question 29

What percentage of the pancreas is exocrine cells?

Answer 29

About 99%

Question 30

Why is surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer ineffective?

Answer 30

- Can't operate on the pancreas as cutting into it makes pancreas start to self-destruct

Question 31

What is the most common and most important endocrine disorder?

Answer 31

Diabetes mellitus

Question 32

What causes Type 1: insulin dependent diabetes?

Answer 32

- Destructions on beta cells - 5%-10% of all diabetic patients - No insulin produced or very little

Question 33

What causes Type 2: insulin resistant diabetes?

Answer 33

- Tissues loose their sensitivity to insulin so become ineffective - Insulin is produced however tissues lose sensitivity to hormone

Question 34

What systems in the body are affected by insulin?

Answer 34

Most systems of the body are affected by either type 1 or type 2 diabetes

Question 35

What are some oral effects that can be caused by diabetes?

Answer 35

- Periodontitis, dry mouth and susceptibility to infections

Question 36

What does hypofunction of the endocrine system mean?

Answer 36

- Reduced hormone release: not enough hormone to meet requirements

Question 37

What does hormone resistance mean?

Answer 37

- Hormone is there however tissue loses sensitivity to hormone

Question 38

What does hyperfunction of the endocrine system mean?

Answer 38

- Excessive hormone release: too much hormone is produced

Question 39

When might endocrine changes be seen?

Answer 39

During pregnancy, menopause, stress, obesity and many more