Endocrine System

Question 1

Function of the endocrine system

Answer 1

secrete messenger substances (hormones)

Question 2

Hormones may be comprised of:

Answer 2

proteins
peptides
cholesterol derived steroids
amino acid derivatives

Question 3

Endocrine cells have 3 possible anatomical distributions:

Answer 3

1. endocrine cells gather in a single specialized organ to form an ENDOCRINE GLAND
2. endocrine cells for discrete clusters in a specialized organ
3. endocrine cells disperse singly amongst other cells in epithelial tissues DIFFUSE NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Question 4

Example of endocrine glands (4)

Answer 4

pituitary
thyroid
parathyroid
adrenals

Question 5

example of clusters of endocrine cells

Answer 5

pancreas - Islet of Langerhans
ovary
testis

Question 6

Examples of diffuse neuroendocrine system

Answer 6

gastrointestinal tract

respiratory system

Question 7

T/F - supporting tissue lacks vasculature

Answer 7

FALSE - rich in vasculature to facilitate rapid dissemination of hormones into blood stream

Question 8

Two anatomical parts of the Pituitary Gland

Answer 8

Anterior Pituitary (Adenohypophysis) –> Dark staining
synthesizes hormones
Posterior Pituitary (Neurohypophysis) –> Light staining
stores and secretes hypothalamic hormones

Question 9

Components of anterior pituitary

Answer 9

pars distalis - most of anterior pituitary
pars intermedia - less defined in humans
pars tuberalis - layers/extension of anterior pituitary that surrounds the neural stalk of the hypothalamus

Question 10

5 Cell types & their function

Answer 10

Somatotrophs (GH - growth hormone)
Mammotrophs (prolactin)
Corticotrophs (corticotrophin - ACTH - adrenocorticotrophic hormone)
Thyrotrophs (thyrotropin - TSH - thyroid-stimulating hormone)
Gonadotrophs (FSH - follicle-stimulating hormone, LH - luteinizing hormone)

Question 11

Pituitary Portal System

Answer 11

Low oxygen, high nutrients

Network of capillaries from GIT to liver

Question 12

Posterior Pituitary

Answer 12

Continuation of hypothalamus, comprised of axons of neuronal cells (unmyelinated)

Question 13

Supporting glial cells in the posterior pituitary

Answer 13

Pituicytes

Question 14

Where is the Islet of Langerhans located?

Answer 14

Pancreas - endocrine function
cord and clump organization
lighter staining than the rest of the pancreas

Question 15

4 cells in the pancreas & what they release

Answer 15

B (beta) cells - Insulin (70%)
A (alpha) cells - Glucagon (20%)
D (delta) cells - Somatostatin (5-10%)
PP-cells - Pancreatic Peptide (1-2%)

Question 16

Three layers of the Adrenal Cortex

Answer 16

Zona Glomerulosa - secretes mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)
Zona Fasciculata - secretes glucocorticoids (cortisol)
Zona Reticularis - secretes androgenic steroids (DHEA - dehydroepiandosterone) (DHEA-S - dehydroepiandosterone-sulfate) and some glucocorticoids
GFR, Salty Sweet Sex

Question 17

Hyperadrenalism

Answer 17

excess secretion of glucocorticoids
Crushing’s syndrome
excess secretion of mineralocorticoids
Conn’s syndrome

Question 18

Hypoadrenalism

Answer 18

hormones of the cortex are not secreted
could be due to cellular destruction
Addison’s disease

Question 19

What controls the adrenal medulla

Answer 19

sympathetic nervous system

Question 20

Type 1 Diabetes

Answer 20

Begins early in life; childhood/adolescence
Islet and Beta cells are destroyed (viral infection. autoimmune disease)
Inability to regulate carbohydrate metabolism
HYPERGLYCEMIA
treatment - insulin

Question 21

Type 2 Diabetes

Answer 21

Occurs later in life, young are also affected
Cells become resistant to insulin
Islet and Beta cells are still able to produce insulin
Treatment - lifestyle modifications, some drugs

Question 22

Enterochromaffin cells

Answer 22

secretion of motilin, gherlin and serotonin

Question 23

VIP

Answer 23

vasoactive inhibitory peptide