Endocrine Intro

Question 1

what is a hormone

Answer 1

chemical substance formed in glands that is carried in the bloodstream to affect another part of the body

Question 2

what is an endocrine organ

Answer 2

Glands that secrete their products (hormones) directly into the bloodstream rather than through a duct (exocrine)

Question 3

what are the 3 hormone groups and what are they derived from and give examples

Answer 3

1) Amine
Derived from a single amino acid
Epinephrine/norepinephrine/dopamine (tyrosine)

2) Peptide
Derived from multiple (3-200) amino acids
All pituitary hormones: Insulin, leptin, ghrelin

3) Steroid
Derived from cholesterol
Glucocorticoids/mineralocorticoids/androgens/progesterone

Question 4

describe steroid/ thyroid hormone action

Answer 4

hormone enters the nucleus and Binds to intracellular receptors

Receptor/ligand complex binds to DNA to affect transcription

Question 5

describe peptide hormone action

Answer 5

Most peptide hormones act through G-proteins in order to generate a change (signal) within the intracellular environment. Binding creates a conformational change in the G-protein leading to activation to associated enzymes.

Question 6

List the 6 endocrine glands

Answer 6

pituitary 
thyroid 
pancreas 
adrenals 
testes 
ovaries