endocrine system Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

what is the endocrine system used for

A

to coordinate body responses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what is a gland

A

a structure that secretes substances

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what are the two types of glands

A

endocrine and exocrine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what are exocrine glands

A

these glands release their product into ducts or tubes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what are endocrine glands

A

are ductless glands and produce hormones that are released into the bloodstream

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

why do endocrine glands have a rich supply of capillaries

A

they secrete hormones into the blood through capillaries

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what biomolecule makes up hormones

A

proteins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what is a hormone

A

it is a chemical messenger produced by an endocrine gland and carried by the bloodstream to another part of the body and where it has a specific purpose

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what is a steroid

A

a form of lipid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what other biomolecle can hormones be made of

A

lipids in the form of steroids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

name 4 main endocrine glands

A

pituitary, hypothalmus, pineal, thyroid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

write a short note on the pituitary gland

A

often called master gland… produces a rane of hormones that regulate other endocrine glands. produces FSH, LH and GH.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what does GH (growth hormone) do

A

causes body cells to absorb amino acids and form proteins which causes growth and elongation of bones

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

write short note on the hypothalamus

A

this gland link the nervous and endcrine systems. it secretes a hormone that controls the pituitary gland in reponse to messanges from the brain. it produces the hormone anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) which is stores in the pituitary and released when needed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what does ADH do

A

it causes water to be reabsorbed in the kidneys- osmoregulation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

write a short note on the pineal

A

is a tiny gland located in the brain. it produces many hormones such as melatonin which is produced mainly when we sleep

17
Q

what is the function of melatonin

A

the funtion is not fully known but it is involved in ovulation, sleep and activity patterns

18
Q

write a short note on the thyroid gland

A

a H shaped gland located on the trachea. produces thyroxine which is made from a combination of the amino acid tyrosine and iodine. thyroxine controls the rate of all the body’s reactions (metabolism)

19
Q

what are the symptoms associated with thyoxine deficiency

A

symptoms- low metabolic rates and slowed mental + physical development = disease called cretinism in children. in adults reduced metabolic rate = tiredness, lack of energy, weight gains collectively known as myxoedema. thyroid gland can also swell- called goitre

20
Q

what are corrective measures that can be taken to treat thyroxine deficiency

A

new borns get the heel test, thyroxine can be administered to prevent cretinism. in adults thyroxine tablets or iodine can be taken to prevent myxoedema

21
Q

what are the symptoms of thyroxine excess

A

increased metabolic rate, bulgine eyes, hunger, loss of weight, anxiety. known as grave’s disease

22
Q

what corrective measures can be taken to treat thyroxine excess

A

surgically removing part of the thyroid or by killing part of the gland usin radioactive iodine

23
Q

what happens when there is a normal concentration of thyroxine

A

inhibits the pituitary from releasing TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) meaning no further thyroxine is made

24
Q

what happens when there is a low concentration of thyroxine

A

pituitary produces TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) causing more thyroxine to be made until concentration returns to normal

25
Q

explain goitre

A

enlargement of the thyroid gland which indicates underproduction of thyroxine, usually caused by lack of iodine in the diet. TSH combines with iodine in the thyroid to produce thyroxine.if this cannot happen due to iodine shortage then TSH is stored in the thyroid causing it to swell. can be treated by increasing iodine intake

26
Q

what are parathyroids

A

4 glands embedded in the thhyroid gland. they make parathormone which stimulates the release of calcium from bones into blood plasma

27
Q

what is the thymus gland

A

has two lobes located behind the breastbone in the upper chest. produces thymosin which causes lymphocytes to mature and become active

28
Q

what are adrenals

A

two glands located on top of the kidneys that produce hormones that help the body cope with stress- adrenaline, which is produced when we are in an emergency and affects the body to help us to respond more efficiently to stress

29
Q

write a short note on the pancreas

A

it is a dual functioning gland meaning it has an exocrine and an endocrine function. its exocrine funtion is to produce enzymes which flow to the duodenum through ducts. its endocrine function is to produce insulin by these cells called islets of langerhans (are a tissue) and are transported by the blood

30
Q

write a short note on the funtion of insulin

A

vital hormone that reduces blood glucose which is absorbed into muscle and fat cells. the absorbed glucose is either used in respiration or converted to glycogen to be stored in liver and muscles

31
Q

what occurs when there is low insulin in the body

A

diabetes may from as a result of low insulin production it an inability of cells to take up insulin. in young people it is generally caused by the faiure of the islets of Langerhans to work properly

32
Q

what are the symptoms of diabetes

A

high glucose concentration in blood + urine, production of large amounts of urine, severe thirst, loss of weight, tiredness

33
Q

how may diabetes be treated

A

regular insulin injections

34
Q

why can’t insulin be taken into the digestive system

A

it is a protein and would be broken down by digestive enzymes

35
Q

write a short note on anabolic steroids

A

drugs that build up protein or muscle and are similar to the mle sex hormone testosterone. they speed up muscle recovery after an injury and help strengthen bonds. they have been widely abused in sports and are now illegal. risk of abusing these incllude liver and adrenal gland damage + infertility.