Endocrine system Flashcards
Location and role of hypothalamus
Part of the brain located just below corpus callosum. It controls the function of the pituitary gland and is the link between the nervous and endocrine system. (ADH)
Location and role Pituitary gland
Located at the base of the brain, attached to the hypothalamus. It is known as the master gland as secretes hormones into the bloodstream which act as messengers from the pituitary gland to distant cells. (FSH, LH, TSH, Growth Hormone)
Location and role of Thyroid gland
Located below the larynx and on either side of the trachea. It secretes thyroxin which performs a number of functions such as increasing the metabolic, breathing and heart rates. It is also essential for normal growth and development of organs while also regulating the functioning of the nervous system. (Thyroxin)
Location and role of Pancreas
Located under the stomach. Exocrine pancreatic cells secrete pranceatic juice contain enzymes that help with chemical digestion. Islets of Langerans have Alpha - Glucagon (Increase glucose) and Beta - Insulin (Decrease) cells which regulate glucose level when necessary.
Location and role of adrenal gland
Located at the top of the kidneys. Made up of adrenal cortex (Produces Aldosterone) and Adrenal medulla (Produces Adrenalin). Aldosterone is a steroid hormone that regulates the ionic balance of the tissue fluid. Adrenaline prepares the body for an emergency.
What does Adrenaline do?
Accelerates and strengthens heart rate
Increase blood pressure
Accelerates the conversion of glycogen to glucose
Increase rate and depth of breathing
Increases the muscle of the skeletal muscles
Dilates pupils
Increases sweat production
What is homeostasis?
An organism's process of maintaining a stable internal environment suitable for sustaining life. Regulates: Ratios of water and minerals Body temperature Chemical levels
Exocrine vs endocrine
Endocrine gland secrets chemical substances directly to the blood stream,
while exocrine gland secrets its product into a duct. -The hormones produced by endocrine glands circulate through the blood stream and over the body and act on the target, while products of exocrine gland do not circulate all over the body.
Exocrine vs endocrine
Endocrine gland secrets chemical substances directly to the blood stream,
while exocrine gland secrets its product into a duct. -The hormones produced by endocrine glands circulate through the blood stream and over the body and act on the target, while products of exocrine glands do not circulate all over the body.
Function of gonads
Testes - Secrete Testosterone
Ovary - Secrete Oestrogen and Progesterone
Function of Oxytocin & Prolactin
Prolactin - Targets mammary glands; regulates lactation in mothers after birth
Oxytocin - promotes uterine contractions during labour; Promotes milk delivery from mammary glands; May promote parental behaviour and sexual response
Acromegaly
Increase in GH in middle aged adults, bones increase in size
Gigantism
Excess of GH in children, increase not only in size but girth.
Pituitary dwarfism
Deficiency of GH in child
