Endocrine System

Question 0

Name and explain the structures of the endocrine system.

Answer 0

Hormones - chemical substances secreted by endocrine glands directly into the blood. Hormones are classified as proteins and steroids.

Glands - Glands are located throughout the body. The pituitary gland is located in the brain behind the eyes at the base of the frontal lobe. It is divided into 2 parts - the anterior and posterior.

Question 1

What is the function of the Endocrine System?

Answer 1

The endocrine system comprises glands and the hormones that are secreted by those glands directly into the bloodstream.

Question 2

What is the hypothalamus and its function?

Answer 2

It lies above the pituitary.

It releases hormones that either stimulate or inhibit the release of hormones by the anterior pituitary.

Question 3

What is the pineal gland?

Answer 3

It is located near the hypothalamus and houses our biological clock.

Question 4

What is the thyroid gland and its function?

Answer 4

The thyroid gland lies in the neck near the Adam’s apple. it produces a hormone that regulates growth and general metabolism.

Question 5

What are the parathyroids and their function?

Answer 5

The parathyroids lie within the thyroid capsule. They regulate the metabolism of calcium and phosphates.

Question 6

What is the thymus and its function?

Answer 6

• lies in the chest above the xiphoid process
• gets smaller after puberty
• plays a role in the immune system
• it aids in the formation of lymphocytes

Question 7

What is the pancreas and its function?

Answer 7

It produces insulin and glucagon, which help regulate blood glucose levels.
Insulin acts to lower BSL’s and glucagon acts to raise BSL’s.

Question 8

What do adrenal glands do?

Answer 8

They lie on top of the kidneys and secrete hormones that help the body grow to adapt to stress.

Question 9

What do the ovaries secrete?

Answer 9

They secrete OESTROGEN AND PROGESTERONE

Question 10

What are the functions of the ovaries?

Answer 10

They affect the formation of the ova and the development of the female sex characteristics.

Question 11

What are the function of testes?

Answer 11

Affect the formation of sperm and development of male sex characterises.

Question 12

What is the order of the endocrine system? (WILL BE IN DIAGRAM - PAGE 60)

Answer 12

1. Pituitary
2. Thyroid
3. Parathyroid
4. Thymus
5. Pancreas
6. Adrenal/Suprarenal
7. Testes
8. Ovary

Question 13

Signs and symptoms of endocrine disorders

Answer 13

• Alterations in BGL’s
• Weight Changes
• Increase or decrease in metabolism

Question 14

Common health problems associated with the endocrine system?

Answer 14

• Diabetes (I will expand on diabetes in a seperate flash card cos its a bit of a novel.)
• Goiter (an enlargement of the thyroid gland)
• Graves Disease (hyper section of thyroid hormones characterised by increase in metabolism)
• Hyperthyroidism (increase production of thyroid hormone)
• Hypothyroidism (decrease production of thyroid hormone)

Question 15

Explain more about Diabetes?

Answer 15

• most common disorder of the endocrine system.
• due to the failure of the pancreas to secrete enough insulin for the metabolism of glucose.
• this causes glucose to build up in the blood. consequently the cells cannot perform their specific functions.

Question 16

What are the 3 main types of diabetes?

Answer 16

1. Insulin dependent diabetes - Type 1
2. Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus - Type 2
3. Gestational diabetes