Endocrine system

Question 1

Endocrine system features

Answer 1

releases hormones and is responsible for metabolic activities (e.g., growth hormone [GH] is most abundantly produced by the pituitary gland)

Question 1

Endocrine system Key structures

Answer 1

Hypothalamus
Pineal gland
Pituitary gland
Thyroid
Parathyroid
Thymus
Adrenal
Pancreas
Ovaries
Testes

Question 2

Hypothalamus

Answer 2

The main role of this gland is to maintain homeostasis. It either stimulates or inhibits heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, fluid and electrolyte balance, thirst, appetite, body weight, glandular secretions of the stomach and intestines, the release of substances influencing the pituitary gland, and sleep cycles.

Question 3

Electrolyte

Answer 3

Electrolytes are minerals in the body that have an electric charge.

Question 4

Pineal gland

Answer 4

The only hormone this gland is known to secrete is melatonin.

Question 5

Pituitary gland

Answer 5

Pituitary hormones control other parts of the endocrine system, including the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries, and testes.

Question 6

Thyroid

Answer 6

The main function of the thyroid is to regulate metabolism.

Question 7

Parathyroid

Answer 7

There are four parathyroid glands that help regulate calcium levels in the body.

Question 8

Thymus

Answer 8

The thymus is only active until puberty. Before puberty, it stimulates the development of T lymphocytes, which play a role in the lymphatic system’s defense against illness and infection.

Question 9

Adrenal

Answer 9

The adrenal glands are attached to the kidneys and are made up of the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. Hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex are essential to life. Those secreted by the adrenal medulla are not.

Question 10

Pancreas

Answer 10

The main role of the pancreas is to maintain blood glucose balance.

Question 11

Ovaries

Answer 11

The ovaries secrete hormones essential for female reproductive development and fertility.

Question 12

Testes

Answer 12

The testes are responsible for maintaining male reproductive health.

Question 13

Hormones

Answer 13

chemical messengers stored, created, and released by endocrine glands

Question 14

Endocrine glands

Answer 14

ductless glands releasing hormones that remain within the body

ENDOcrine glands produce substances that remain within the body

Question 15

Exocrine glands

Answer 15

glands that produce and release substances through ducts or openings on the body’s surface

EXOcrine glands secrete substances that EXIT the body

Question 16

Testosterone

Answer 16

A steroid hormone found in both males and females

Controls muscle size; increases number of red blood cells; decreases body fat; promotes male sex characteristics

Question 17

Growth hormone (GH)

Answer 17

A hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates growth in animal cells
Increases protein synthesis
Increases fat breakdown
Increases collagen synthesis
Decreases glucose utilization

Question 18

Insulin-like growth factor

Answer 18

A protein similar to insulin that stimulates the growth of cells
Limited production when GH is absent

Question 19

Insulin

Answer 19

A hormone produced in the pancreas to regulate blood sugar
Insulin promotes the uptake of glucose into target cells. Insulin = IN the cells

Question 20

Cortisol

Answer 20

A catabolic hormone released in response to physical and emotional stress
Can be good or bad based on how long it remains elevated

Short-term cortisol elevation:
Increases blood sugar (glucose) levels
Enhances the brain’s use of glucose
Reduces inflammation
Reduces unnecessary bodily functions during the fight-or-flight response

Extended-duration cortisol elevation:
Increases appetite
Increases blood pressure
Promotes weight gain
Contributes to type 2 diabetes

Question 21

Catecholamines

Answer 21

Hormones released by the adrenal glands into the blood as a result of stress
Key

Question 22

Anabolic

Answer 22

the process of creating larger molecules from smaller units

Question 23

Catabolic

Answer 23

metabolic activity involving the breakdown of molecules such as proteins or lipids into smaller units

Question 24

Protein synthesis

Answer 24

the process of arranging amino acids into protein structures