Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Biology > Endocrine system > Flashcards

Endocrine system Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What is the endocrine system?

A

The endocrine system controls
the activities and functions of
the body by sending hormones
directly via the bloodstream to
specific organs, and they have
specific target areas in order to
ensure balanced functioning of
the body. On the other hand
exocrine glands secrete
substance through ducts.

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

What are hormones and what do they do?

A

Hormones are chemical messengers that enter the bloodstream and travel to
specific areas of the body. These hormones then act on an organ or other cells in order to play a role in certain bodily functions. The hormones play a role in the following bodily functions: respiration, metabolism, reproduction, sensory perception, movement, sexual development and growth.

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

How do hormones operate?

A

They target cells with compatible receptors. They bind with the receptors. The receptors carry out the hormone’s functions. Different glands produce different hormones with different functions.

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

What are the components of the endocrine system?

A

Pituitary, pineal, thyroid, adrenal, ovaries, testes, pancreas.

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

What is the structure and location of the pituitary gland?

A

Your pituitary gland has two main parts, or lobes: the anterior(frontal) lobe and
the posterior(back) lobe. The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain, behind the bridge of the nose. It is directly
under the hypothalamus.

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

What does the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland produce and do?

A

The anterior lobe regulates growth, metabolism, and reproduction through its hormones. The production of
these hormones is stimulated by chemical signals from the hypothalamus.

Hormones:
- Human growth hormone (HGH or GH)
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Adrenocorticotrophin hormone (ATCH)
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- Prolactin

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

What does the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland do and produce?

A

The posterior lobe produces two hormones, vasopressin and oxytocin, they are released when the hypothalamus sends messages to the pituitary
gland through nerve cells.

  • Vasopressin acts on the kidney to conserve water
    and is important for fluid and electrolyte
    regulation.
  • Oxytocin stimulates the contraction of the smooth
    muscles of the uterus, and contracts the smooth
    muscle of the breast.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the structure and location of the pineal glands?

A

similar to that of a pinecone
(Latinpinea). The pineal gland is located in the epithalamus

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

How does the pineal gland function and what is its hormones?

A

The pineal gland regulates sleep-wake cycles by producing melatonin, which is secreted in response to darkness. Melatonin helps control
circadian rhythms and has antioxidant properties.

Melatonin: The primary hormone produced by the pineal gland, involved in sleep regulation and seasonal reproductive functions in some animals.

Serotonin: While not produced by the pineal gland itself, serotonin is a precursor to melatonin, and the pineal gland helps convert it into melatonin
during the night.

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

What is the structure and location of the thyroid gland?

A

It’s shaped like a butterfly smaller in the middle with two wide wings that extend around the side of your throat. Your thyroid gland is located in the front of your neck, straddling your windpipe (trachea).

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

What does your thyroid gland do?

A

Your thyroid’s main job is to control the speed of your metabolism (metabolic rate),
which is the process of how your body transforms the food you consume into energy.
All of the cells in your body need energy to function.

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

What are the thyroid hormones?

A

All of the thyroid hormones are made of the thyroglobulin precursor.
-Thyroxine(T4): This is the primary hormone your thyroid makes and releases. It’s has
four iodine molecules hence it’s name. It doesn’t have much of an effect on your metabolism. T4 transforms into T3 via a process called deiodination.
-Triiodothyronine (T3): Your thyroid produces lesser amounts of T3 than T4, but it has a much greater effect on your metabolism.
-Reverse triiodothyronine (RT3): Your thyroid makes very small amounts of RT3, which reverses the effects of T3.
-Calcitonin: This hormone helps regulate the amount of calcium in your blood.

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

What is the structure and location of the adrenal glands?

A

They are small, triangular-shaped glands. Adrenal glands are composed of two parts — the cortex and the medulla. Adrenal glands, also known as suprarenal glands, located on top of both kidneys.

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

What does the adrenal gland do?

A

Adrenal glands produce hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress and other essential functions.

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

What is the first hormone of the adrenal gland?

A

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the zona fasciculata that plays several important roles in the body. It helps control the body’s use of fats, proteins and carbohydrates; suppresses inflammation; regulates blood pressure; increases blood sugar; and can also decrease bone formation. This hormone also controls the sleep/wake cycle. It is released during times of stress to help your body get an energy boost and better handle an emergency situation.

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

What is the second hormone of the adrenal gland?

A

Aldosterone is mineralocorticoid hormone produced by the zona glomerulosa plays a central role in regulating blood pressure and certain electrolytes
(sodium and potassium).

17
Q

What is the third hormone of the adrenal gland?

A

Epinephrine and Norepinephrine produced by the medulla to initiate fight or flight response. Among other things, these hormones are capable of increasing the heart rate and force of heart contractions, increasing blood flow to the muscles and brain,
relaxing airway smooth muscles, and assisting in glucose (sugar) metabolism.
They also control the squeezing of the blood vessels, helping
maintain blood pressure and increasing it in response to stress.

18
Q

What functions do the testis serve?

A

production of sperm for male fertility
in reproduction

production of male sex hormone
(Testosterone)

19
Q

What does the testis consist of?

A

seminiferous tubules: site of production and maturation of sperm cells and production of testosterone by leydig cells.

Fibrous coat: provide production and
insulation to the testis.

Testosterone: Regulates sex drive ,bone mass ,fat distribution, muscle mass
strength and production of red blood cells.

20
Q

What does the ovaries do?

A

Ovaries are responsible for development of
eggs and production of some female hormones.

21
Q

What do the ovaries consist of?

A

Follicles: fluid filled structures where the eggs mature. Follicles secrete hormones which develop the egg cell and releases it into the fallopian tube for fertilization.

Estrogen: stimulate growth of egg follicle during pregnancy it stimulates enlargement of
breasts and uterus.

Progesterone: supports uterus lining, reduces contractility and uterus and stimulates growth
of decidual cells.

22
Q

What is the structure and location of the pancreas?

A
  1. Head: Located near the duodenum, the first
    section of the small intestine.
  2. Body: The middle section, extending toward
    the left side.
  3. Tail: The narrow, tapered end near the spleen.
    The pancreas is an elongated, glandular organ located in the abdomen, behind the stomach.
23
Q

Which tissues do the pancreas contain?

A

Exocrine tissue (acini):
Produces digestive enzymes
that are secreted into ducts and
then into the small intestine.
Endocrine tissue (islets of
Langerhans): Clusters of cells
that release hormones directly
into the bloodstream

24
Q

What are the functions of the exocrine and the endocrine tissues?

A
  1. Exocrine Function: The acinar cells secrete digestive enzymes, such as amylase, lipase, and proteases, which break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the small intestine.
  2. Endocrine Function: The islets of Langerhans contain different cell types:
    Alpha cells: Produce glucagon, which raises blood glucose levels.
    Beta cells: Produce insulin, which lowers blood glucose levels.
    Delta cells: Produce somatostatin, which regulates the secretion of other pancreatic hormones.
25
Q

Which hormones do the pancreas produce?

A
  1. Insulin – Lowers blood glucose levels by promoting glucose
    uptake by cells, especially in muscle and liver cells.
  2. Glucagon – Raises blood glucose levels by stimulating the liver
    to release glucose stored as glycogen.
  3. Somatostatin – Inhibits the release of insulin and glucagon,
    helping to regulate their effects.
  4. Pancreatic Polypeptide – Regulates pancreatic secretion
    activities and has effects on appetite and food intake.
26
Q

Where are these hormones produced?

A

These hormones are secreted by specific cell types in the pancreas’s islets of Langerhans.

27
Q

Disease related to pituitary gland?

A

Hyperpituitarism: it’s having an overactive pituitary gland. Noncancerous (benign) tumors usually cause this condition by making the gland produce
too much or too little of the hormones.

28
Q

Disease related to the pineal gland?

A

Calcification over the years, phosphate crystals form and the pineal gland hardens,
which impairs its ability to produce melatonin. This results in a lower production of
melatonin. This is why as you age, your sleep cycle tends to alter and you experience more sleep disturbances.

29
Q

Disease related to the thyroid gland?

A

Hyperthyroidism: which happens when your thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormones than your body needs.

30
Q

Disease related to the testis?

A

Male hypogonadism is when the testes produce too little testosterone, leading to low libido, fatigue, and muscle loss. It’s treated with testosterone replacement
therapy to restore hormone levels.

30
Q

Disease related to the adrenal glands?

A

Addison’s disease: is a rare, chronic disorder characterized by insufficient production of cortisol and sometimes aldosterone from the adrenal glands.
This hormonal deficiency can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, low blood pressure, hyperpigmentation of the skin, and salt cravings.

31
Q

Disease related to the ovaries?

A

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder in women, characterized by irregular periods, high androgen levels, and polycystic ovaries. Symptoms include weight gain, acne, and excessive hair growth, often leading to
fertility challenges.

Biology (15 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions