Endocrine System

Question 0

What are two types of glands

Answer 0

• Exocrine: release secretions through ducts or tubes (ex. Sweat glands, salivary glands, tear glands).
• Endocrine: ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream (ex. Pituitary, thyroid)

Question 1

What is the endocrine system and the function

Answer 1

Made up of hormone-producing glands and tissues.

Works with the nervous system to maintain homeostasis.

Question 2

What is. The purpose of the Hypothalamus

Answer 2

o The Hypothalamus is connected to nerves and gland, so it connects the two systems.

Question 3

What are the functions of hormones

Answer 3

Hormone: “Chemical messenger”

• Carries instructions to target organs.
• Very potent! Released in small quantities.

Question 4

Types of hormones

Answer 4

Two types of Hormones:
- Steroid Hormones:
o Made from cholesterol, thus they’re hydrophobic.
o Secreted into bloodstream, where they combine with protein carriers until they reach the target cell.
o Fat soluble, so they pass through the membrane easily.
o Once inside, they form a hormone-receptor complex in the cytoplasm, which enters the nucleus and activates transcription of a specific gene to produce an enzyme that will begin the desired chemical reaction. (see handout)
- Non-Steroid Hormones:
o Made up of either proteins, peptides or amino acids
o Hydrophillic, so do not pass through the cell membrane
o Target cells have receptors on their surface for this type of hormone. When activated, they trigger a chain of chemical reactions within the cytoplasm, where ATP is dephosphorylated to create cyclic AMP, which activates the required pathway. (see handout)