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Anatomy and Physiology I > Endocrine System > Flashcards

Endocrine System Flashcards

1
Q

Endocrine System (basic definition)

A

Coordinates various activities of body parts by utilizing chemical messengers called hormones

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2
Q

Hormone (basic definition)

A

Organic chemical produced by one set of cells that affect a different set of cells.

Every hormone has a specific organ/gland of origin, a target organ/gland and a specific action

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3
Q

Peptide hormones (3 attributes)

A

Derived from proteins, peptides or catecholamines.

Activate existing enzymes in cell

Act quickly for short period of time

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4
Q

Nervous vs. Endocrine system (3 differences)

A

Endocrine - slow
Nervous - fast

Hormones
Neurotransmitters

Release into bloodstream
Releases into other neurons, glands, muscles

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5
Q

Steroid (3 attributes)

A

Derived from cholesterol

Enter nucleus of cell and can pass through plasma membrane

Act more slowly than peptides because take more time to synthesize new proteins

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6
Q

Endocrine glands (basic definition)

A

Ductless, secreting their contents directly into the bloodstream for distribution throughout body

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7
Q

Exocrine glands (basic definition)

A

Have ducts that secrete their contents into an epithelial surface

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8
Q

Primary endocrine organs (seven)

A

Secrete hormones that chemically regulate body functions

Include hypothalamus, pituitary gland, pineal gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands and pancreas

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9
Q

Location of glands:
Adrenal glands
Thyroid gland
Parathyroid glands
Pancreas

A

Adrenal - superiorly on each kidney
Thyroid - neck, attached to trachea just below larynx
Parathyroid glands - embedded into posterior surface of thyroid gland
Pancreas - transversely in the abdomen between the kidneys and near the duodenum

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10
Q

Secondary endocrine organs (4)

A

Secrete hormones as a secondary function

Includes the heart, kidneys, gonads and thymus

Thymus is a globular gland that lies in the upper thoracic cavity

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11
Q

Negative feedback system

A

Way body maintains homeostasis, or set point.

Similar to thermostat.

Body senses low levels of hormones in blood, turns them on to achieve homeostasis

Example - ADH dilutes blood. Once blood is dilute, the hypothalamus senses this and shuts off the release of ADH

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12
Q

Positive feedback system

A

Enhances or increases the amount of the hormone that is regulated

Oxytocin is an example - causes uterus to contract. Positive feedback stops once baby is born.

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13
Q

Hypothalamus (definition and processes controlled)

A

Portion of brain that regulates the internal environment and homeostasis

Helps to control heart rate, body temperature, water balance and glandular secretions of pituitary gland

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14
Q

Pituitary gland (definition and location)

A

Lies below hypothalamus

Divided into two portions called posterior and anterior pituitary

Posterior pituitary attaches to directly attaches to hypothalamus by means of a stalk-like structure

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15
Q

Neurosecretory cells

A

Neurons in the hypothalamus that both respond to neurotransmitters and produce the hormones that are stored in and released from posterior pituitary

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16
Q

Two major hormones of posterior pituitary

A

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Oxytocin

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17
Q

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

A

Promotes reabsorption of water into kidneys

No longer needed once blood becomes dilute

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18
Q

Oxytocin

A

Made by hypothalamus and stored in posterior pituitary

Causes uterus to contract through positive feedback system

Stimulates release of milk from mammary glands for nursing

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19
Q

Anterior pituitary (definition and 7 hormones)

A

Stimulates following hormones which then stimulate other organs and endocrine glands:

Growth Hormone (GH)

Prolactin

Melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

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20
Q

Three-tiered relationship (definition)

A

Hypothalamus produces hormones that travel to anterior pituitary

Anterior pituitary then stimulated to produce specific hormones that control the thyroid, adrenal cortex and gonads

Those glands produce hormones through negative feedback mechanism

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21
Q

Growth hormone (GH)

A

Causes changes and growth in:

Cell growth

Bone growth

Skeletal muscle growth

Liver

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22
Q

Pituitary dwarf

A

Underdeveloped child due to lack of GH

23
Q

Pituitary giant

A

Overdeveloped as a child due to too much GH

24
Q

Acromegaly

A

Overdeveloped as an adult from GH

Results in enlargement of hands, feet and face

25
Prolactin (PRL)
Child birth/nursing hormone Stimulates mammary glands to develop to produce milk Aids in carbohydrate and fat metabolism
26
Melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)
Stimulates melaconytes to increase melanin production Helps to absorb ultraviolet light and darken skin
27
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
Stimulate thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4
28
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Stimulates adrenal cortex to produce cortisol Sent from anterior pituitary gland to adrenal gland
29
Gonadotropic hormones (2)
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) Leutinizing hormone (LH)
30
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (male and female development)
Males - Testes and sperm development Females: Estrogen production and follicle maturation for egg production
31
Leutinizing hormone (LH) (male and female function)
Male - Testosterone development Females - Ovluation and release of progesterone (important for maintenance of pregnancy)
32
Thyroid gland function
Produces T3 and T4 (thyroxin) Contains iodine T4 increases metabolic rate to help with cell growth
33
Goiter formation (thyroid)
Enlarged thyroid Low level of iodine Thyroid cannot produce T4 Low level of T4 in blood Anterior pituitary gland increases TSH production Thyroid enlarges Enlargement ineffective
34
Congenital hypothyroidism
Occurs in people with low thyroid function since birth Reduced skeletal growth, sexual immaturity and abnormal protein metabolism Often leads to intellectual disability
35
Thyroid / Parathyroid interaction (describe process)
Thyroid produces calcitonin Lowers level of calcium in blood Promotes osteoblasts Deposits calcium into bone Opposes the action of parathyroid hormone (PTH) Parathyroid produces PTH Increases level of calcium in blood Promotes osteoclasts Calcium absorbed by intestines Opposes the action of calcitonin Both stopped by negative feedback
36
Tetany (define and 4 results of condition)
Blood sodium remains too low Low PTH production Results in: Low calcium in blood Electrolyte imbalance Cramps Involuntary muscle contractions (shaking)
37
Adrenal glands (location and 2 components)
Atop corresponding kidney Medulla - inner portion Cortex - outer portion No physiological connection with each other, only hormonal
38
Adrenal medulla
Secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine directly into bloodstream under conditions of stress "Fight or flight" reaction Higher blood glucose and metabolic rate Breathing and heart rate increase Blood vessels in intestine constrict Blood vessels dilate in muscles Epinephrine is used to stimulate body in cardiac arrest Can be removed
39
Adrenal cortex
Produce glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids Primary glucocorticoid is cortisol (released under control by ACTH) Primary mineralocorticoid is aldosterone Small amount of male/female sex hormones
40
Cortisol (definition and 4 attributes)
Glucocorticoid Secreted by adrenal cortex Controlled by anterior pituitary hormone ACTH Promotes hydrolysis (breaking apart) of muscle protein to amino acids that enter blood, leading to increased level of glucose Favors metabolism of fatty acids rather than carbohydrates Operates in opposition to insulin by raising blood glucose level Counteracts inflammatory response
41
Aldosterone (definition and 3 attributes)
Most significant mineralocortocoid Not controlled by the anterior pituitary Regulates level of sodium ions and potassium ions in the blood Primary target organ is kidney, where it promotes renal absorption of sodium and renal excretion of potassium "Water follows salt" Increased blood volume and blood pressure
42
Pineal gland
Produces melatonin primarily at night to increase sleepiness Receives nerve impulses from eyes by way of the optic tract to detect reduced light Interaction of nervous and endocrine systems Involved in daily cycles called circadium rhythms
43
Pancreas - two types of tissue
Exocrine tissue - produces and secretes digestive juices that go by way of ducts to small intestine Endocrine tissue (pancreatic islets of Langerhans) - produces and secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon directly into the blood.
44
Insulin (definition and four different actions)
Secreted by beta cells of the pancreas when there is a high blood glucose level (usually after eating) Three different actions: 1) Stimulates liver, fat and muscles cells to take up and metabolize glucose 2) Stimulates liver and muscles to store glucose as glycogen 3) Promotes the buildup of fats and proteins and inhibits their use as an energy source 4) Lowers blood glucose level
45
Glucagon (definition and action)
Secreted by alpha cells in the pancreas in between eating Produced during times of low blood glucose levels Opposite effects of insulin - stimulates the breakdown of stored nutrients and causes blood glucose level to rise
46
Kidneys (non-endocrine and endocrine functions)
Non-endocrine - excretion of urine and water balance Endocrine - produce a hormone called erythropoietin
47
Erythropoietin
Acts on bone marrow to cause an increased release of red blood cells into the bloodstream Without this action, anemia can occur, which is why patients with kidney disease are often anemic
48
Gonads
Sex organs Hypothalamus and pituitary gland control hormonal secretions through FSH and LH Testes in the male - produces testosterone Ovaries in the female - produces estrogen and progesterone
49
Testosterone
Male sex hormone Necessary for maturation of sperm and development and functioning of male sex organs Brings about secondary male sex characteristics at puberty - beard, body hair, pubic hair, larynx and vocal cords to enlarge, oil and sweat glands to secrete (resulting in body odor and acne) Responsible for sex drive
50
Female gonadotropic hormones
FSH - development of follicle on ovary to mature before ovulation. Increases estrogen production LH - acts on the ovary to cause ovulation to occur and causes progesterone release to allow for fertilization of egg and pregnancy
51
Estrogen
Stimulate growth of uterus and vagina Necessary for egg maturation in ovary Secondary sex characteristics in females, such as female body hair and fat distribution, enlarged pelvic cavity Required, along with progesterone, for breast development and regulation of the uterine cycle
52
Progesterone
Released by ovaries and the placenta if fertilization occurs Key hormone for maintenance of pregnancy Allows potential fertilization of egg and pregnancy Required, along with estrogen, for breast development and regulation of uterine cycle
53
Thymus
Largest size and most active during childhood Located above right side of heart Organ gets smaller and becomes fatty with aging Produces various hormones called thymosins, which aid the development of T cells throughout the body Aids in immune system

Anatomy and Physiology I (3 decks)

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