Endocrine and Nervous System Flashcards
Summarise the endocrine system
Collection of glands that are groups of secretory cells producing hormones. These hormones influence cell growth and metabolism, binding to specialised receptors to reverse or amplify a stimulus. The aim is to maintain homeostasis
What is the function of the hypothalamus?
Controls release of hormones from anterior and posterior pituitary
What are some examples of anterior pituitary hormones?
Growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone
What is the function of the growth hormone?
Stimulates growth and division of most body cells, especially in bones and skeletal muscles, and stimulates breakdown of fats and increases blood glucose.
What is the function of the thyroid stimulating hormone?
Stimulates growth and activity of the thyroid gland, which secretes thyroxine T4 and tri-iodothyronine T3.
What is the function of prolactin?
Secreted during pregnancy to prepare the breast for lactation.
What is the function of follicle stimulating hormone?
Stimulates production of sperm and secretion of oestrogen.
What is an example of posterior pituitary hormones?
Oxytocin and anti-diuretic hormone
What is the function of oxytocin?
Stimulates target tissues during and after childbirth; stimulates uterine smooth muscles and breast muscle cells
What is the function of the anti-diuretic hormone?
Reduces urine output and lessens the quantity of water in the urine
What is the function of thyroxine T4 and tri-iodothyronine T3?
- Increase metabolic rate and heat production
- regulate metabolism of carbs, proteins and fats
- essential for normal growth and development
What is the function of calcitonin?
- lowers blood calcium levels by increasing uptake of excess calcium for storage in the bone
- essential during childhood and development
How many parathyroid glands are there?
4
What is the role of the parathyroid hormone?
- muscle contraction
- transmission of nerve impulses
- blood clotting
- normal action of many enzymes
Acts in a complementary manner with the calcitonin
What hormones are secreted by the suprarenal glands?
- adrenaline and noradrenaline from the medulla
- adrenocoricoids from the cortex - glucacorticoids, mineralcorticoids and sex hormones
What ie the function of glucocorticoids?
- regulate metabolism, inflammatory and immune responses, and responses to stress
What is aldosterone?
- main mineralcorticoid
- maintain water and electrolyte balance
- regulation of blood volume and blood pressure
What are androgens?
- male sex hormones
What are the pancreatic islets?
- the islets of Langerhans
What are the three types of hormones of the pancreatic islets?
- alpha: secrete glucagon
- beta: secrete insulin
- delta: secrete somatostatin
What is somatosatin?
- inhibits secretion of insulin and glucagon by the islet cells
What hormone is secreted by the pineal gland?
Melatonin
What is the function of melatonin?
- coordinate seasonal circadian and diurnal rhythms
- associated with mood - associated with SAD
- maturation of sex organs at puberty