Endocrine system Flashcards
What does the endocrine system regulate?
- cellular metabolism
- homeostasis
- sexual development and reproduction
- growth and development
What is the difference between endocrine and exocrine glands?
- endocrine have no ducts and secrete hormones directly into blood stream
- exocrine have ducts that secrete hormones outside of the body
What are the three classes of hormones?
proteins
steroids
amino acid derivatives
How does the endocrine system work?
regulated by endocrine axes which mean the target cell of one hormone is another endocrine gland
When is paracrine secretion important?
embryogenesis
What is the role of the hypothalamus in endocrine secretion?
controls the release of anterior pituitary hormones via releasing hormones
What is the structure of the pituitary gland?
2 lobes - anterior and posterior
What is the function of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland?
- consists of epithelium
- secretes 6 hormones
What is the function of the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland?
- consists of neural tissue
- stores hormones
What are the two types of cells in the thyroid gland?
follicular cells
parafollicular cells
What does thyroxin regulate?
- energy use in the rate of metabolism
- protein production in growth
- development and sensitivity of cells
What is the function of the parathyroid glands?
produce the parathyroid hormone which regulated calcium homeostasis
What are the adrenal glands made up of?
cortex
medulla
What is the cortex in the adrenal glands?
- made up of 3 layers of epithelia
- produces steroid hormones
What is the medulla in adrenal glands?
- formed from neural crest cells
- contains chromatin cells which produce catecholamines
