endocrine system Flashcards
what is the endocrine system made up of
endocrine glands
what are endocrine glands
ductless glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream through capillary walls
what are the endocrine glands in the endocrine system
- pituitary gland
- thyroid gland
- parathyroid gland
- adrenal gland
- pancreas
what are hormones made up of
- proteins
- fatty acids
- cholesterols
how are hormones controlled
levels of certain chemicals in the blood, so they are only released at appropriate times & amounts
how does the endocrine system work
hormones travel around the body sending messages to different target tissues & organs. bind to receptor sites at the target cell and induce changes
features & functions of the hypothalamus
- connected to pituitary gland by specialised vascular system
- releases hormones which stimulate pituitary gland to release hormones
features & functions of the pituitary gland
- small sized gland located at base of brain
- divided into anterior and posterior lobes
- releases various stimulating hormones into bloodstream
anterior pituitary hormones:
- FSH- Follicle stimulating hormone
- LH - luteinising hormone
- ACTH - adrenocorticotrophic hormone
- TSH -thyroid stimulating hormone
- growth hormone
- prolactin
posterior pituitary hormones
- oxytocin
- antidiuretic hormone ADH
function of FSH
- stimulates ovary to produce follicles containing egg
- stimulates the testes to produce sperm
name & function of LH or ICSH
- luteinising hormone or interstitial cell stimulating hormone
- acts in ovary to stimulate ovulation
- acts on interstitial cells in the testis to stimulate testosterone production
name & function of ACTH
- adrenocorticotrophic hormone
- stimulates adrenal gland to produce hormones that help body cope w/ stress
name & function of TSH
- thyroid stimulating hormone
- stimulates thyroid gland to secrete thyroxine
name & function of GH
- growth hormone
- acts on all tissues of the body, stimulating growth & repair of cells
what can excess or inadequate GH cause
- excess causes gigantism or acromegaly
- inadequate GH causes pituitary dwarfism
function of prolactin
- stimulates mammary glands to develop during pregnancy
- stimulates milk production
function of oxytocin
- targets uterus during birth causes contractions
- acts on mammary gland tissue resulting in milk let down
name & function of ADH
- targets convoluted tubules in the kidneys to reabsorb water, increasing blood volume & pressure
- reduces amount of water lost from the body
what are feedback mechanisms
mechanisms your body has in place to ensure the correct amount of hormone is produced & released
features of positive feedback
- rare & only occur in certain situations
- this loop increase or amplified the effect in the body
features of negative feedback
self regulating mechanism to prevent excessive production of hormones
negative feedback mechanisms apply to what hormones?
- oestrogen
- progesterone
- testosterone
- cortisol
- growth hormone
- thyroxine
anatomy of the thyroid gland
- located at base of the ventral neck
- has 2 lobes on either due of the trachea near the larynx
function of the thyroid gland
- secretes thyroxine
what is the function of thyroxine
- sets the pace for metabolism in the entire body