Endocrine System Flashcards
How do hormones travel through the body?
The Bloodstream
Peptides
- Protein based hormones
- Attach to the outside of the cell and activate enzymes on the inside of the cell
Steroids
- Lipid based hormones
- Production stops if you drop in weight
- They are inside the cell
- Activate DNA and stimulate protein production
What speeds up chemical reactions?
Enzymes
Endocrine Gland
Produces hormones which release into the blood and affect distant organs
Exocrine Glands
Produce chemicals other than hormones that release into hollow body cavities (ex. small intestine)
Where are the glands located in the body?
Central part of the brain and they are connected to one another
Hypothalimic
Releases hormones causing the Pituitary Gland to release hormones
Hypothalamic
Releases inhibiting hormones that cause the Pituitary gland to retain hormones
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
- Conserves water
- Causes kidneys to conserve urine
- Delays dehydration
- Kidneys are the target organ
- They are released continually
Oxytocin
- Uterus is the target organ
- Breast tissue may be affected
- Could potentially affect other organ systems
- Causes uterus contractions
- They occur during childbirth and cause sperm to go deeper into uterus cavity
Growth Hormone (GH)- somatotropin
- Growth
- Targets all body tissues
Prolactin (PRL)
Stimulates the production of milk in the breast tissue
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Thyroid is the target organ
- Causes the production and release of hormones
Adrenocorticotropin
- Adrenal Gland is the target organ
- Production and release of hormones
Gonadotropins
- Gonad Gland is the target organ
- Production and release of hormones
Giantism
- The overproduction of growth hormones starting at birth
- Effects both males and females
- Internal Organs are enlarged
- Creates stress on the body
- Shorter than normal lifespans
Dwarfism
- Underproduction of growth hormones
- Starts at birth
- Shorter stature
- Shorter life span
Acromegaly
- Overproduction of growth hormones starting near puberty
- Relatively normal stature
- Extremities are effected
- Larger hands, face, feet and may develop brow ridges
What age do the production of growth hormones stop in females?
30
What age do the production of growth hormones stop in males?
May stop in your 80s
Thyroxine
Affects most cells in the body and controls metabolism
Calcitonin
Affects levels of calcium in the blood
Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)
Affects levels of calcium in the blood
Goiter
- Enlargement of the thyroid due to a lack of iodine in your diet
- Most are treated with iodine treatments
Hyperthyroidism
- Overproduction of thyroxine
- Higher than normal metabolism
- Thinner stature
- Hyperactivity
- Eyes may bulge
- Hair loss
- Not easily treated
Hypothyroidism
- Underproduction of thyroxine
- Larger stature
- Lower energy levels
- Easily treated by taking thyroxine in pill form
Adrenal Medulla
- Produces Epinephrine and Norepinephrine (Adrenaline)
- Causes stronger skeletal, cardiac, smooth muscles contractions
- Helps you see and hear better
Adrenal Cortex
Central core of the gland
Glucocorticoids
- Cortisol
- Class of hormones that influence metabolism
- Reduces inflammation
Mineralocorticoids
- Aldosterone
- Influences the use of minerals
Sex Hormones
- Estrogen and Testosterone
- Tumors produce an excessive amount of testosterone
- Characteristic’s of males and females
Pancreas
- 2 in 1 gland
- Located beneath the stomach
- Contains Endocrine and Exocrine glands
- Produces enzymes
Insulin
- Causes cells to absorb glucose
- Released into large quantities after a meal
Glucagon
- Causes cells to release glucose
- Maintains levels of glucose in the bloodstream
- Released constantly
- Constant rate of 3.2% concentration
Diabetes
An underproduction of insulin and is treated by supplements
Enzymes
- Breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids
- Digestive Juice is released into the small intestine NOT the stomach
Alkali Solution
Production and release of alkali in the small intestine that causes it to not be damaged by acid in the stomach
Testes and Ovaries
Primary sex organs
Testosterone
- Produced by testicles
- Enhances male secondary characteristics
- Penis size increase
- Deeper voice
- Increased body hair
- Prevents breast development
- More muscle mass
Estrogen and Progesterone
- Influences female characteristics
- Breast development
- Less hair
- Thicker layer of adipose tissue
- Regulates ovarian cycle
- Lighter bone density
- Light muscle mass
Thymus Gland
- Near Trachea but close to the heart
- Produces thymosin that regulates the development of white blood cells and allows them to mature
- Largest at birth
- Begins to decrease as you age
- May disappear in the elderly
- ONE gland
Pineal Gland
- Produces melatonin that regulates sleep cycles
- Located in the brain
- Underproduction is treated by supplements
- Light sensitive
