Endocrine: Hypothalamus & Pituitary

Question 1

Where is the hypothalamus located?

Answer 1

Ventral part of the brain, just caudal to optic chiasma (part of diencephalon of the brain)

Question 2

What important nervous system functions does the hypothalamus control?

Answer 2

Appetite Control
Body Temperature regulation
Control of wake-sleep cycles

Question 3

True or False: The hypothalamus is the bridge between the nervous system and the endocrine system

Answer 3

True (accomplished through the control it has over the activities of the pituitary gland)

Question 4

Where is pituitary gland located?

Answer 4

Ventral to the hypothalamus and is attached to it by a slender stalk; securely housed in a small pocket in the sphenoid bone of the skull called the pituitary fossa

Question 5

What is the portal system?

Answer 5

System of tiny blood vessels that link the hypothalamus with anterior pituitary gland

Question 6

_________ ___________ in the hypothalamus secrete hormones into these portal blood vessels

Answer 6

Modified Neurons

Question 7

What are 2 hypothalamic hormones that regulate the anterior pituitary hormones through the portal system?

Answer 7

Releasing factor
Inhibiting factor

Question 8

True or False: The hypothalamus has the same effect on both the anterior and posterior pituitary gland

Answer 8

False - The effect on posterior part of pituitary gland is more direct

Question 9

Modified neurons in the hypothalamus produce which two hormones that are transported down nerve fibers to the posterior pituitary gland for storage

Answer 9

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
Oxytocin

Question 10

What is the pituitary often called?

Answer 10

Master endocrine gland because of its hormones direct the activity of other endocrine glands around the body

Question 11

True or False: The pituitary gland is a large organ

Answer 11

False - tiny, size of small pea or bean

Question 12

What 7 hormones are produced by the anterior pituitary gland?

Answer 12

Growth hormone (GH)
Prolactin
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)

Question 13

What is the main function of GH (growth hormone) in young animals?

Answer 13

Body Growth; particularly growth of bone and muscle

Question 14

What are other known names for Growth Hormone?

Answer 14

Somatotropin
Somatotropic hormone

Question 15

What is the main function of GH in animals of all ages?

Answer 15

Metabolism of proteins, carbs, and lipids in all of the body’s cells

Question 16

What is the affect of GH on protein metabolism?

Answer 16

Anabolism (or synthesis of proteins by body cells)

Question 17

What does anabolism of protein create?

Answer 17

Supplies materials for growth as well as for ongoing regeneration and repair of body tissues that have undergone injury or normal wear and tear

Question 18

What is the affect of GH on carb metabolism?

Answer 18

Discourages cells from using carbs, especially glucose

Question 19

What is the affect of GH on lipid metabolism?

Answer 19

Causes release of lipids in storage and their catabolism

Question 20

What is acromegaly?

Answer 20

Excess of GH results in a form of gigantism; cause is often pituitary gland tumor

Question 21

What does prolactin control?

Answer 21

Helps trigger and maintain lactation

Question 22

What stimulates prolactin release once lactation has begun?

Answer 22

Stimulated by nursing or milking; once ceases, production ceases as well

Question 23

What does thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulate?

Answer 23

Growth and development of the thyroid gland and causes it to produce its hormones

Question 24

What is TSH also known as?

Answer 24

Thyrotropic hormone

Question 25

What does adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulate?

Answer 25

Stimulates growth and development of adrenal cortex and release of some of its hormones

Question 26

How is ACTH regulated?

Answer 26

Regulated by feedback from the hormones of the adrenal cortex

Question 27

True or False: Stress can affect how ACTH is regulated?

Answer 27

True - stress causes it to be released quickly as result of hypothalamus stimulation from other parts of the brains

Question 28

What does follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates?

Answer 28

Stimulates growth and development of follicles in the ovaries; Stimulates spermatogenesis (sperm development) in seminiferous tubules of the testes

Question 29

What hormone does FSH stimulate production of?

Answer 29

Stimulates lining of cells of the follicles to produce and secrete estrogens

Question 30

What is luteinizing hormone (LH) used for?

Answer 30

Completes the process of follicle development in the ovary that was started by FSH

Question 31

High LH levels stimulate left over cells to divide and multiply to form the _________ _________

Answer 31

Corpus Luteum

Question 32

What hormones does the corpus luteum produce?

Answer 32

Progestin hormones (principally progesterone)

Question 33

In males, LH stimulates cells in the testes called ____________ ________ to develop and produce _______________

Answer 33

interstitial cells; testosterone

Question 34

What is LH sometimes called in males?

Answer 34

Interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH)

Question 35

What group do FSH and LH fall under?

Answer 35

Gonadotropins as they stimulate growth and development of the gonads (ovaries and testes)

Question 36

What is the purpose of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)?

Answer 36

Associated with control of color changes in the pigment cells (melanocytes) of reptiles, fish, and amphibians (animals that can rapidly change colors and color patterns)

Question 37

Another term for anterior pituitary (rostral or front portion)

Answer 37

Adenohypophysis (Produces hormones when stimulated)

Question 38

Another term for posterior pituitary (caudal or back portion)

Answer 38

Neurohypophysis (Stores and releases hormones)

Question 39

What 2 hormones are stored in the posterior pituitary?

Answer 39

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) Oxytocin

Question 40

What does ADH help prevent?

Answer 40

diuresis

Question 41

What stimulates ADH to be released?

Answer 41

When hypothalamus detects dehydration Causes more-concentrated urine to be produced

Question 42

What disease does ADH deficiency cause?

Answer 42

Diabetes Insipidus C/S = polydipsia and polyuria

Question 43

What organ does Oxytocin affect?

Answer 43

Uterus Active Mammary Glands

Question 44

What is the effect of oxytocin on the uterus?

Answer 44

Induces uterine contractions at breeding and parturition

Question 45

What is the effect of oxytocin on active mammary glands?

Answer 45

Milk Letdown (Stimulation of teat by nursing or milking causes oxytocin to be released and causes movement of milk to lower parts of the mammary gland)