Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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


See full index

Body Systems > Endocrine System > Flashcards

Endocrine System Flashcards

Mechanism and regulation of hormones, glands of the endocrine system and hormones

1
Q

What is an exocrine gland?

A

glands are ducted (such as sweat, and saliva) and are not a part of the endocrine system

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

What is an endocrine gland?

A

Ductless glands that secrete hormones into the blood.

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

What is a target cell?

A

A cell that has specific receptors for a particular hormone.

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

How does the endocrine system differ from the nervous system?

A

The endocrine system communicates and controls via hormone secretion, a slower, longer-lasting type of control than nerve impulses.

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

What are non-steroid hormones?

A

These are “first messengers” that bind to receptors on the target cell membrane, triggering intracellular “second messengers” such as cyclic AMP to affect the cell’s activities.

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

What are steroid hormones?

A

Primary effects are produced by binding to receptors within the target cell nucleus; they influence cell activity by acting on DNA - a slower process than non-steroid action.

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

What is negative feedback?

A

A mechanism that reverses the direction of a change in a physiologic system.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is positive feedback?

A

A mechanism that amplifies a physiologic change (uncommon).

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

What are prostaglandins?

A

Powerful lipid substances found in a wide variety of body tissues. Typically produced in a tissue and diffuse only a short distance to act on cells in that tissue. Often called “tissue hormones” or “paracrine agents”.

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

Describe the anterior pituitary gland.

A

Made up of glandular epithelium. (also called adenohypophysis)

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

Describe the posterior pituitary gland.

A

Made up of nervous tissue. (also called neurohypophysis)

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

Where is the pituitary gland located?

A

In a bony depression (sella turica) of sphenoid bone in the skull. Connected to the hypothalamus by a pituitary stalk.

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

Name the 6 major hormones of the anterior pituitary gland (adenohypophysis).

A

1) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
2) Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
3) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
4) Luteinizing hormone (LH)
5) Growth hormone (GH)
6) Prolactin (PRL) (lactogenic hormone)

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

What is the function of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)?

A

Stimulates growth of the thyroid gland; also stimulates it to secrete thyroid hormone. (anterior pituitary)

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

What is the function of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone)?

A

Stimulates growth of the adrenal cortex and prompts it to secrete glucocorticoids (GCs) (mainly cortisol) (anterior pituitary)

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

What is the function of FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone)?

A

In females: initiates growth of ovarian follicles each month and stimulates estrogen secretion.
In males: stimulates sperm production. (anterior pituitary)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the function of LH (luteinizing hormone)?

A

Acts with FSH to stimulate estrogen secretion and follicle growth to maturity; causes ovulation; causes luteinization of the ruptured follicle and stimulates progesterone secretion by the corpus luteum.
Causes the testes to secrete testosterone in males. (anterior pituitary)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the function of GH (growth hormone)?

A

Stimulates growth by accelerating protein anabolism; accelerates fat catabolism; slows glucose catabolism, thereby increasing blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia). (anterior pituitary)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the function of PRL (prolactin)?

A

Also called lactogenic hormone; stimulates breast development during pregnancy and secretion of milk after delivery of baby. (anterior pituitary)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Name the hormones of the posterior pituitary gland (neurohypophysis)

A

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Oxytocin (OT)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is the function of ADH (antidiuretic hormone)?

A

Accelerates water reabsorption from urine in the kidney tubules into the blood, thereby decreasing urine secretion. (posterior pituitary)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is the function of OT (oxytocin)?

A

Stimulates the pregnant uterus to contract; may initiate labour; causes glandular cells of the breast to release milk into ducts; enhances social bonding. (posterior pituitary)

23
Q

What is the hypothalamus’ role in the endocrine system?

A

Produces posterior pituitary hormones that pass along axons into the pituitary gland, controlled by nervous stimulation.
Regulates anterior pituitary secretion by Releasing hormones (RHs) and Inhibiting hormones (IHs) through a direct capillary connection.

24
Q

Describe the location and makeup of the thyroid gland.

A

Located in the neck, just inferior to the larynx. Tissue made up of thyroid follicles filled with colloid.

25
Q

Name the hormones of the thyroid gland.

A

Thyroid hormones - thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) - produced by follicle cells and stored in colloid
Calcitonin (CT) - made by CT cells outside the follicle walls

26
Q

What is the function of thyroid hormones (T4) (T3)?

A

Accelerates catabolism and energy production, increasing the body’s metabolic rate (thyroid gland)

27
Q

What is the function of CT (calcitonin)?

A

Decreases the blood calcium concentration by inhibiting the breakdown of bone (thyroid gland)

28
Q

Where are the Parathyroid glands located?

A

Small lumps of glandular tissue located on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland.

29
Q

What is the hormone of the parathyroid gland?

A

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

30
Q

What is the function of PTH (parathyroid hormone)?

A

Increases blood calcium concentration by increasing the breakdown of bone releasing calcium into the blood. Also promotes absorption of calcium from food and reduces loss of calcium in urine. (parathyroid gland)

31
Q

Where are the adrenal glands located?

A

On the superior surface of each kidney. (cortex is glandular, medulla is secretory nervous tissue)

32
Q

Name the hormones of the adrenal cortex and indicate in which layer they are produced.

A

Mineralocorticoids (MCs) - aldosterone (outer layer)
Glucocorticoids (GCs) - cortisol (cortisone) (middle layer)
Sex hormones - androgens (both sexes) (inner layer)

33
Q

What is the function of MCs (mineralocorticoids)?

A

Increase blood sodium and decrease body potassium by accelerating kidney tubules reabsorption of sodium, and excretion of potassium. (outer adrenal cortex)

34
Q

What is the function of GCs (glucocorticoids)?

A

Maintaining normal blood glucose concentration by increasing gluconeogenesis - the formation of “new” glucose from amino acids; also aid the conversion to glucose of fatty acids.
Maintaining normal blood pressure, making it possible for Epi and NR to maintain a normal degree of vasoconstriction.
Anti-inflammatory effect, with Epi and NR.
Anti-immunity and anti-allergy effect; decreasing lymphocytes and plasma cells. (middle adrenal cortex)

35
Q

What is the function of adrenal sex hormones?

A

Male androgens similar to testosterone are produced in both sexes; have a role in reproductive development.

36
Q

Name the hormones of the adrenal medulla.

A

Epinephrine (Epi) or adrenaline
Norepinephrine (NR)

37
Q

What is the function of Epi (epinephrine) and NR (norepinephrine)?

A

Helps the body resist stress by intensifying and prolonging the effects of sympathetic stimulation. Increased epinephrine secretion is the first endocrine response to stress.

38
Q

Describe the pancreatic islets.

A

Islands of endocrine tissue scattered within the exocrine tissue of the pancreas, a digestive gland near the junction of the stomach and small intestine.

39
Q

Name the hormones of the pancreatic islets.

A

Glucagon (secreted by alpha cells)
Insulin (secreted by beta cells)

40
Q

What is the function of glucagon?

A

Increases the blood glucose level by accelerating liver glycogenolysis (conversion of glycogen to glucose)
(pancreatic islets)

41
Q

What is the function of insulin?

A

Decreases blood glucose by accelerating the movement of glucose out of the blood into cells, which increases glucose metabolism by cells.

42
Q

Describe the sex glands and the hormones they secrete.

A

Ovaries contain two structures that secrete hormones - the ovarian follicles (estrogen) and the corpus luteum (progesterone).
The interstitial cells of the testes secrete the male hormone (testosterone).

43
Q

What are the effects of estrogen?

A

Development and maturation of breasts and external genitals.
Development of adult female body contours.
Initiation of menstrual cycle.

44
Q

What are the effects of testosterone?

A

Stimulates production of sperm.
Maturation of external genitals.
Beard growth.
Voice changes at puberty.
Development of musculature and body contours of the male.

45
Q

Where is the thymus located?

A

Behind the sternum in the mediastinum.

46
Q

Name the hormone of the thymus.

A

Thymosin (group of related hormones)

47
Q

What is the function of thymosin?

A

Plays an important role in the development and function of T-cells (agents of the body’s immune system).
(thymus)

48
Q

Name the hormones of the placenta and give their function.

A

Chorionic gonadotropins
Estrogen
Progesterone
(maintain the corpus luteum during pregnancy)

49
Q

Where is the pineal gland located?

A

A small gland near the roof of the third ventricle of the brain.

50
Q

Name the hormone of the pineal gland.

A

Melatonin

51
Q

What is the function of melatonin?

A

Inhibits ovarian activity
Regulates the body’s internal clock
(secretion influenced by the amount of light entering the eyes)
(pineal gland)

52
Q

What is ghrelin and where is it produced?

A

A hormone produced by the stomach lining, which affects appetite and metabolism.

53
Q

What is atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH) and where is it produced?

A

A hormone secreted by the atrial wall of the heart; stimulates sodium loss from the kidneys

54
Q

What is leptin and where is it produced?

A

A hormone secreted by fat-storing cells, which controls how full or hungry we feel

Body Systems (14 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions