Endocrine Intro

Question 1

endocrinology

Answer 1

• the branch of biology dealing with the endocrine glands and their secretions

Question 2

distinguish between different secretions

Answer 2

1. endocrine - hormone travels from cell to cell through blood
2. neuroendocrine - same as endocrine but leaves a neuron
3. paracrine - same as endocrine but travels through interstitial fluid
4. autocrine - hormone is released by cell and taken up by the same cell

Question 3

3 hormone classes

Answer 3

1. proteins and peptides
2. steroids
3. tyrosine derivatives

Question 4

hormone concentration is a balance between…

Answer 4

secretion and clearance

Question 5

pituitary gland

Answer 5

• under the hypothalamus
  1. anterior pituitary targets:
• growth hormone for bones/muscles/organs
• prolactin to breasts
• LH to ovaries and testes
• FSH to ovaries and testes
• to adrenal cortex
• to thyroid gland

2. posterior pituitary
   - oxytocin to breast and uterus
   - vasopressin to kidneys

Question 6

pineal gland

Answer 6

• other end of corpus callosum
• melatonin synthesis: released in response to darkness, whereas exposure to light inhibits this mechanism

Question 7

thyroid gland

Answer 7

• growth and development
• increased metabolism
• increased catecholamine effect

Question 8

thymus

Answer 8

• thymopoietin: fuels the production of T-cells and tells the pituitary gland to release hormones
• thymosin and thymulin: help make specialized types of T-cells
• thymic humoral factor: keeps your immune system working properly

Question 9

adrenal gland

Answer 9

• sits atop kidneys
• secretes cortisol into blood stream when stressed

Question 10

pancreas

Answer 10

• insulin: increase uptake of glucose into the cell; promotes glycogenesis; lowers blood sugar levels (due to raised blood glucose levels)
• glucagon: promotes glycogenolysis; increases blood sugar levels (due to low blood glucose levels)
• somatostatin: mild inhibition of both insulin and glucagon - decreases gut motility and secretion of digestive juices

Question 11

ovary and tesis

Answer 11

• secretes testosterone, progesterone, and other hormones

Question 12

how could concentration of hormones be regulated

Answer 12

• endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) - natural or human made chemicals that may mimic, block, or interfere with the body’s hormones

Question 13

water vs fat soluble hormones

Answer 13

• water soluble can travel directly in blood stream, but fat soluble must bind to a specific transport protein to travel in blood