Endocrine System Flashcards
A system of glands and cells that secrete hormones to regulate and integrate body systems
Endocrine System
The endocrine system is a _________.
Control system
Endocrine Glands Function
Secrete substances into the blood in response to a stimuli
What are hormones?
Chemical Messengers (a.k.a mediator molecules)
How do hormones have access to the body cells?
Release into interstitial fluid, which then enter the bloodstream, which then circulate to the body
Where are hormones released? How does this connect with where it regulates activity?
One part of the body to regulate activity in another
To deliver the hormone message (function), the hormones ____..
bind to receptors on the cell membrane of target cells/organs
Explain upregulation & downregulation
Upregulation:
-Increasing the target cell receptors due to a lack of circulating hormone
-This increases sensitivity to this hormone
Downregulation:
-Decrease in target cell receptors due to an excess of circulating hormone
-This decreases sensitivity to the hormone
Normally, most hormones are present in the body at all times (usually in small amounts). When will these levels fluctuate?
When there is a demand on normal body rhythms
- Environment
- Stress
- Inflammation
- Pathologies
When are normal rhythms absent?
-Disease States
What is secretion controlled by?
- Nervous System
- Chemical changes in blood
- Other hormones
- Managed through negative feedback loops
Primary Endocrine Glands
- Pituitary
- Thyroid
- Parathyroid
- Adrenal
- Pineal
Other organs that secrete hormones
- Hypothalamus
- Thymus
- Ovaries/Testes
- Pancreas
- Kidneys
- Stomach & small intestine
- Heart
- Adipose Tissue
- Placenta
- Liver
- Skin
Two things that regulate all aspects of growth, development, metabolism, and homeostasis
Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland
Major integrating centre between the nervous and endocrine systems
Hypothalamus
Hormonally, the hypothalamus regulates the synthesis and release of the ____________
anterior pituitary hormones
Neurologically, the hypothalamus regulates the synthesis and release of the ____________
posterior pituitary hormones
A.k.a Pituitary
Hypophysis
Pituitary located/Description
- Sits in the sella turcica of the sphenoid.
- 2 Lobes, Small gland
Hormones of the Anterior Pituitary Gland
- Human Growth Hormone (hGH)
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- Prolactin (PRL)
- Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH)
Describe the Human Growth Hormone (hGH)
- Stimulates Tissue Growth
- Promotes Healing and Tissue Repair
- Increases Use of Lipids for Energy
- Decreases Cellular Uptake of Glucose/Elevates Blood Glucose Levels