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Anatomy and Physiology > Endocrine System > Flashcards

Endocrine System Flashcards

1
Q

What is the primary function of the endocrine system?

A

To produce and release hormones that control many important body functions

This includes energy conversion, heart rate, growth, and reproduction.

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2
Q

How does the endocrine system influence various bodily functions?

A

By releasing hormones that affect processes such as heartbeats, growth of tissues, and reproductive capabilities

It plays a role in conditions like diabetes and thyroid disease.

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3
Q

What distinguishes endocrine glands from exocrine glands?

A

Endocrine glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream, while exocrine glands have ducts to carry secretions outside or into hollow organs

Examples of exocrine secretions include saliva, sweat, and digestive enzymes.

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4
Q

What is the role of hormones in the endocrine system?

A

They act as signaling molecules that regulate nearly every physiological process in the body

The term ‘hormone’ comes from the Greek word ‘hormone’, meaning ‘to set into motion’.

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5
Q

What is the main difference between the nervous system (NS) and the endocrine system (ES)?

A

The NS has quick, short-term responses, while the ES has long-term, slow responses

This affects how each system regulates bodily functions.

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6
Q

What is the process by which hormones are secreted in the endocrine system?

A

When a stimulus command stimulates endocrine cells to secrete hormones into the bloodstream

Hormones then travel to target cells with specific receptors.

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7
Q

Fill in the blank: Hormones travel through the _______ to reach target cells.

A

bloodstream

This allows hormones to affect various organs and tissues throughout the body.

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8
Q

True or False: Endocrine cells use neurotransmitters to send signals.

A

False

The endocrine system uses hormones instead of neurotransmitters.

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9
Q

What are the components involved in a neuron synapse?

A

Cell Body (Soma), Vesicles, Dendrite, Synapse, Axon

These components facilitate communication between neurons.

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10
Q

What happens when a stimulus command reaches an endocrine cell?

A

It stimulates the endocrine cell to secrete hormones into the bloodstream

This process is crucial for hormonal signaling.

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11
Q

What does the endocrine system maintain in the body?

A

Homeostasis

This is achieved through the regulation of hormones.

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12
Q

What do hormones target?

A

Hormones target and bind to a specific receptor of the main target cell.

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13
Q

What is the response initiated by target cells?

A

This will cause a target cell to initiate a long-term slow response.

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14
Q

How do endocrine cells release hormones?

A

Endocrine cells typically release hormones into the blood system via signaling.

This is called ‘Endocrine signaling.’

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15
Q

Do hormones need to enter the bloodstream to target cells?

A

No, hormones do not really need to go to the bloodstream to target specific cells.

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16
Q

What is paracrine signaling?

A

Paracrine signaling occurs when endocrine cells secrete hormones that target cells directly close to them.

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17
Q

What type of response do hormones in the bloodstream cause?

A

Hormones in the bloodstream also cause a long-term slow response.

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18
Q

How can hormones travel in the bloodstream?

A

Hormones can travel in the bloodstream as free form (free circulation) or bound to a protein.

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19
Q

What are the two chemical categories of hormones?

A

Hormones fit into two categories: lipid-soluble hormones and water-soluble hormones.

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20
Q

How do lipid-soluble hormones function?

A

Lipid-soluble hormones pass through the cell membrane and target inside of the cell.

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21
Q

How do water-soluble hormones function?

A

Water-soluble hormones target the cell membrane receptor outside the cell.

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22
Q

What are protein-bound hormones?

A

Hormones that are bound to a protein, typically lipid hormones because lipids are scared of water.

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23
Q

What do liver synthesis albumins and globulins do?

A

Albumins help maintain osmotic pressure and globulins attack foreign invaders.

They bind to bacteria so that they can be destroyed.

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24
Q

What are the three types of signaling molecules?

A

The three types are amino acid derivatives, peptide hormones, and lipid derivatives.

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25
Q

Where do amino acid derivatives and peptide hormones bind?

A

They bind to the receptors on the cell membrane.

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26
Q

Where do lipid-derived hormones bind?

A

Lipid-derived hormones cross the cell membrane and bind to receptors in the cytoplasm.

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27
Q

What regulates hormone release?

A

Three types of stimuli regulate hormone release: humoral, neural, and hormonal.

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28
Q

What does humoral regulation refer to?

A

Humoral regulation refers to body fluids and hormones sensitive to blood levels of a particular substance.

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29
Q

What substances can affect hormone production?

A

Examples include glucose, calcium, and sodium levels.

Changes in calcium level can stimulate production of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH), and changes in glucose level can stimulate production of insulin or glucagon.

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30
Q

What are neuropeptides?

A

Neuropeptides are chemical messengers secreted by neurons directly into the blood when stimulated.

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31
Q

What are releasing hormones?

A

Releasing hormones are specialized neuropeptides that stimulate hormone secretion from other endocrine cells, originating from the hypothalamus.

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32
Q

What is an example of the sympathetic nervous system’s effect on hormones?

A

The SNS stimulates the release of Epinephrine and Norepinephrine, increasing heart rate and blood flow through exercising muscles.

33
Q

What are tropic hormones?

A

Tropic hormones are hormones from the Anterior Pituitary Gland that stimulate the secretion of another hormone.

34
Q

What occurs when there is stimulation of hormone release?

A

There is often inhibition of hormone release in response to the same humoral stimulus.

35
Q

What is the role of companion hormones?

A

Companion hormones usually oppose the effects of secreted hormones and counteract their actions.

36
Q

How do aldosterone and ANP work together?

A

Aldosterone raises blood pressure in response to low blood pressure, while ANP lowers blood pressure when it rises, maintaining homeostasis.

37
Q

What triggers the secretion of glucagon?

A

Low glucose levels in the bloodstream stimulate the pancreas, specifically the alpha cells, to secrete glucagon.

38
Q

What is the target cell for glucagon?

A

The target cell for glucagon is the liver.

39
Q

How does glucagon affect the liver?

A

Glucagon stimulates the liver to break down glycogen and secrete glucose into the blood.

40
Q

What feedback mechanism occurs when blood glucose levels increase?

A

An increase in blood glucose sends a negative feedback signal to stop stimulating the pancreas (alpha cells).

41
Q

What are endocrine glands?

A

Groups of endocrine cells dedicated to performing a specific function.

42
Q

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

A

Control of hormone secretions.

43
Q

What does the pineal gland regulate?

A

Reproductive maturation and body rhythms.

44
Q

What is the role of the anterior pituitary?

A

Hormone secretion by thyroid, adrenal cortex, and gonads; growth.

45
Q

What is the function of the posterior pituitary?

A

Water balance and salt balance.

46
Q

What do the thyroid and adrenal glands influence?

A

Growth and development; metabolic rate.

47
Q

What is the function of the adrenal cortex?

A

Salt and carbohydrate metabolism; inflammatory reactions.

48
Q

What does the adrenal medulla affect?

A

Emotional arousal (epinephrine).

49
Q

What is the role of the pancreas?

A

Sugar metabolism.

50
Q

What does the gut control?

A

Digestion and appetite control.

51
Q

What is the function of the gonads?

A

Body development and maintenance of reproductive organs in adults.

52
Q

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

A

The hypothalamus tells the pituitary gland when to release hormones and is responsible for the production of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin.

It also produces regulatory hormones.

53
Q

What are the regulatory hormones produced by the hypothalamus?

A

The regulatory hormones include: Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone, Corticotropin Releasing Hormone, Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone, Prolactin Releasing Hormone, and Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone.

54
Q

What is the pineal gland and its primary function?

A

The pineal gland is found near the center of the brain and is linked to sleep patterns. It secretes melatonin, which helps regulate the body clock.

Melatonin levels increase in the evening and decrease in the morning.

55
Q

What is the role of melatonin?

A

Melatonin helps your body know when it’s time to sleep and wake up, with levels rising at night and dropping in the morning.

56
Q

Where is the pituitary gland located and why is it called the ‘master gland’?

A

The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain behind the sinuses and is called the ‘master gland’ because it influences many other glands, especially the thyroid.

Problems with the pituitary gland can affect bone growth, menstrual cycles, and breast milk release.

57
Q

What are the lobes of the pituitary gland?

A

The pituitary gland has two lobes: the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe.

58
Q

What is the function of the hypothalamus?

A

The hypothalamus tells the pituitary gland when to release hormones and is responsible for the production of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin.

It also produces regulatory hormones.

59
Q

What are the regulatory hormones produced by the hypothalamus?

A

The regulatory hormones include: Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone, Corticotropin Releasing Hormone, Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone, Prolactin Releasing Hormone, and Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone.

60
Q

What is the pineal gland and its primary function?

A

The pineal gland is found near the center of the brain and is linked to sleep patterns. It secretes melatonin, which helps regulate the body clock.

Melatonin levels increase in the evening and decrease in the morning.

61
Q

What is the role of melatonin?

A

Melatonin helps your body know when it’s time to sleep and wake up, with levels rising at night and dropping in the morning.

62
Q

Where is the pituitary gland located and why is it called the ‘master gland’?

A

The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain behind the sinuses and is called the ‘master gland’ because it influences many other glands, especially the thyroid.

Problems with the pituitary gland can affect bone growth, menstrual cycles, and breast milk release.

63
Q

What are the lobes of the pituitary gland?

A

The pituitary gland has two lobes: the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe.

64
Q

It is the most important endocrine gland

A

Pituitary Gland

65
Q

What hormone does the post pituitary secrete for water retention?

A

The post pituitary secretes anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) targeting the kidneys.

66
Q

What is the role of oxytocin?

A

Oxytocin targets the breast, important in lactation and contraction of the uterus during childbirth.

67
Q

What shape is the thyroid gland?

A

The thyroid gland is butterfly-shaped.

68
Q

Where is the thyroid gland located?

A

The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck.

69
Q

What hormones does the thyroid gland secrete?

A

The thyroid gland secretes Triiodothyronine (T3), Thyroxine (T4), and Calcitonin.

70
Q

What is the function of the thyroid gland?

A

The thyroid gland controls metabolism, the way your body uses energy.

71
Q

What does the thyroid gland use to make T3 and T4?

A

The thyroid gland uses iodine from the foods you eat to make T3 and T4.

72
Q

How do the hypothalamus and pituitary gland regulate T3 and T4 levels?

A

The hypothalamus produces TSH Releasing Hormone (TRH) that signals the pituitary to regulate T3 and T4 production.

73
Q

What happens when T3 and T4 levels are low?

A

When T3 and T4 levels are low, the pituitary gland releases more TSH to stimulate the thyroid gland to produce more hormones.

74
Q

What happens when T3 and T4 levels are high?

A

When T3 and T4 levels are high, the pituitary gland releases less TSH to slow production of these hormones.

75
Q

Why are T3 and T4 important?

A

T3 and T4 regulate the speed of metabolism and affect heart rate and digestion.

76
Q

What are symptoms of low T3 and T4 (hypothyroidism)?

A

Symptoms include trouble sleeping, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, dry skin, depression, sensitivity to cold, heavy periods, joint pain, and weight gain.

77
Q

What are symptoms of high T3 and T4 (hyperthyroidism)?

A

Symptoms include rapid heart rate, diarrhea, weight loss, and anxiety.

78
Q

A gland in the upper chest that helps develop the body’s immune system early in life.

A

Thymus Gland

79
Q

A gland in the upper chest that helps develop the body’s immune system early in life.

A

Thymus Gland

Anatomy and Physiology (10 decks)

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