Endocrine system Flashcards
What is the endorcrine system?
Responsible for the regulation of long-term process
What major functions does the endocrine system coordinate?
Homeostasis
Storage and utilisation of energy substrates
Regulation of growth and reproduction
Control of the bodys responses to stress
What are the 3 categories of hormone releasing organs?
- Endocrine glands - only function is to produce and release hormones
- Organs that have other functions as well
- Other tissues and organs
What are the endocrine glands?
Pituitary gland
Thyroid gland
Parathyroid gland
Adrenal gland
What are the organs that have other functions as well?
Hypothalamus
Pancreas
What are the other organs/tissues that produce hormones?
Wall of small intestine
Wall of stomach
Why are blood vessels and hormone producing cells close?
To ensure hormones enter the blood stream rapidly
What are hormones?
Chemical messengers that are secreted into the blood or extraceullar fluid and have an effect on functioning
Where are hormone receptors found?
On the surface of the cell
Inside the cell
What are hormones made from?
Amino acids
Cholestrol
Descrive amino-acid based hormines
Cannot cross the cell membrane
Exert their influence by activating enzymes and other molecules within the cell that affect cell activity
This is through a cascade of changes with the activation of the enzyme happening first
What hormone is the exception to crossing the cell membrane (amino acid)?
Thyroid
Describe the steroid hormone
Can cross the cell membrane because it is small and lipid-soluable
Exert their effect by stimulating the production of genes within the cell
These then stimulate the synthesis of new proteins
What does the activation of a target cell depend on?
Concentration of hormone in the blood
Number of receptors on the cell
Affinity of the receptor for the hormone
What is the most important factor affecting activation of target cell? What does this depend on?
Concentraion in the blood
Rate of production
Rate of delivery
Rate of destruction and elimination
What is the half-life?
The rate of destruction and elimination
Hormones with a short half-life will rapidly drop in concentation
If the half-life is long, the hormone will still be present for some time
What are the changes in the number of receptors known as?
Up-regulation
Down-regulation
What is up-regulation
Creation of more receptors in response to low circulation levels of hormone
The cell becomes more responsible to the presence of the hormone
What is down-regulation?
Reduction in recpetors in response to prolonged periods of high circulating hormone
The cell becomes less responsive
What are the 4 types of transportation?
- Endocrine - hormones that have an effect on distanct cells
- Paracrine - hormones that act locally and diffuse to cells in the immediate surroundings
- Autocrine - hormones act on the cell that produce it
- Exocrine - glands/organs that secrete substances into ducts that eventually lead to the outside of the body
What are the effects of hormones?
Changes in the permeability of the cell membrane
Changes of the cells eletrical state by opening/closing ion channels
Synthesis of proteins or regulatory molecules
Enzyme activation or deactivation
Stimulation of mitosis
Causing secretory activity
How are hormones destroyed?
Some are broken down in target cell
Most in the liver and kidneys and exreted as urine
Why are hormones released?
In response to an internal or external stimulus
Negative feedback system