Endocrine system Flashcards
Circadian rhythm
Sleep / wake cycle. Biological processes that follow a 24-hour cycle
Colostrum
Firstly produced breast fluid containing water, lacto-sugar & antibodies. Acts as a laxative to encourage BM which removes bilirubin build up
Corpus luteum
A hormone secreting structure that develops in an ovary following ovulation
Glands
There are two type of glands: Exocrine and Endocrine.
Glands; Endocrine
Ductless, secreting hormones directly into the blood. Inc. Hypothalamus (neuroendocrine gland), pituitary (glandular and neuroendocrine), pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pancreatic: islets of Langerhans, Thymus, Ovaries, Testes
Glands; Exocrine
Excrete products into ducts leading to body cavities / organ / skin e.g. salivary glands (saliva), gastric glands (digestive enzymes), mammary glands (milk)
Homeostasis system controls (x 2)
Two control systems control homeostasis;
Endocrine and Autonomic Nervous System:
Endocrine system;
Slower change, More precise
Longer duration, Hormones,
Control centre = hypothalamus
Autonomic nervous system;
Rapid change, less precise
Shorter duration, neurotransmitters,
Control centre - central nervous system
Hormones
Chemical messengers released into blood from glands which produce them. The endocrine system coordinates the activity of organs through hormones. Have specific target cells, can be Peptides, Steroids, Amino acid derivatives
Hormone derivatives; peptides
Proteins (water soluble) i.e. insulin
Hormone derivatives; steroids
Sex hormones; e.g. oestrogen
Hormone derivatives; Amino acid
Adrenaline, thyroxine
Hormones: Releasing hormones
Releasing hormones (5). Hypothalamus signals the anterior pituitary to stimulate particular glands & cause them to release secretions. Inc:
* Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRL),
* Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH),
* Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH),
* Prolactin releasing hormone (PRH),
* Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
Hormones: Inhibiting hormones
Inhibiting hormones (2);. Sent from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary. Stop the signals to the pituitary. Inc:
* Growth hormone inhibiting hormone (GHIH)
* Prolactin inhibiting hormone - Dopamine (PIH)
Hormone (Releasing); Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)
Releasing hormone. Released by the hypothalamus to signal the pituitary to secrete follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH)
Target tissue - ovaries & testes
Hormone (Releasing); Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH)
Releasing hormone; Released by the hypothalamus to signal the pituitary to secrete growth hormone (GH)
Target tissue = most body tissues
Hormones (Releasing); Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH)
Releasing hormone. Released by the hypothalamus to signal the anterior pituitary to secrete: adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)
Target tissue (ACTH) – adrenal cortex
Target tissue (MSH) – skin
Hormones (Releasing); Prolactin releasing hormone (PRH)
Releasing hormone. Released by the hypothalamus to signal the anterior pituitary to secrete prolactin
Target tissue – breasts
Hormones (Releasing); Thyroid releasing hormone (TRH)
Releasing hormone. Released by the hypothalamus to signal the anterior pituitary to secrete Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
Target tissue = thyroid gland
Hormones (Inhibiting) growth hormone inhibiting hormone (GHIH)
Inhibiting hormone. Released by the hypothalamus to signal the pituitary to stop secreting growth hormone (GH)
Target tissue = most body tissues
Hormones (Inhibiting) Prolactin inhibiting hormone (dopamine) (PIH)
Inhibiting hormone. Released by the hypothalamus to signal the pituitary to inhibit prolactin hormone (dopamine)
Target tissue - breasts
Hormone; Adreno-corticotropic hormone (ACTH);
(Anterior pituitary):
Activity: Output of steroid hormones (esp. cortisol) and & circadian rhythm (sleep / wake cycle)
Glucocorticoids (cortisol) 95%;
- glucogenisis (production of glucose)
- break down proteins & fats (energy fuel)
- Anti inflammatory & reduces immune response
Mineralocorticoids;
- Aldosterone (RAAS)
- helps to increase BP by reabsorption of Na+ in kidneys & excretion of K
- removes acid from the body
Sex hormones - Androgens (DHEA);
- Increase muscle mass
- helps T4 - T3 conversion
Converts testosterone, then Oestrogen
Increased production: Hypoglycaemia, exercise, stressors (emotions, fever), Interleukin 1 (inflammatory response to infection)
Production; Highest in morning and lowest at midnight
Stimulated by; Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) - anterior pituitary
Target tissue = Adrenal cortex
Hormones; Melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)
(Anterior pituitary)
Activity; Role in skin, hair and eye pigmentation in humans
Production; Produced by the pituitary in response to UV light, can be excessively produced as part of some pathologies e.g. hyperpigmentation of skin in Addison’s disease
Stimulated by; Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) - anterior pituitary
Target tissues; Skin
Melanin= skin pigment, cyte = cell
Hormones; Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH);
(Anterior pituitary)
Activity: Growth & activity of the thyroid gland /increasing thyroid hormone production – Thyroxine (T4) & Triiodothyronine (T3)
T4/T3 - Increases metabolism in our cells, heat production, essential for growth and development of CNS
T4/T3 in blood are called thyroxine.
There is more T4 but T3 is 3-4x more potent (bio active)
Selenium is required for conversion of T4 to T3
Carried in blood on a protein called thyroxin binding globulin (TBG)
Production; lowest levels – early evening, highest levels – during night
Stimulated by; Thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) – anterior pituitary
Target tissues: Thyroid gland
Hormone; Growth hormone (GH);
(Anterior pituitary):
Activity; 1) Regulates metabolism in many organs, 2) Simulates release of insulin-like growth factors (IGF’s) in cells, 3) Promotes growth & division of most body cells (esp. bone & muscle), 4) Breaks down fats and glycogen
Increased production; Night time (sleep), hypoglycaemia, exercise, childhood and adolescence
Stimulated by; Growth hormone releasing/inhibiting hormone (GHRH & GHIH) - anterior pituitary
Target tissues; most body tissues