Endocrine System Flashcards
Protein hormone
A hormone composed of chains of amino acids that is water soluble; usually acts on cell membrane receptors
Ex. growth factors
Steroid hormone
A hormone composed of cholesterol that is not very water soluble; usually passes through the cell membrane and acts in receptors inside the cell
Ex. aldosterone, cortisol, and the sex hormone
Glucagon
A hormone produced by alpha cells in the pancreas that raises the blood glucose level by promoting the breakdown of glycogen in the liver
Hypothalamus
The region of the brain that releases hormones to control the pituitary gland, which, in turn, controls other endocrine glands
Neurohormone
A hormone produced by neurons, such as in the hypothalamus, that controls the production of other hormones in the pituitary gland
Pituitary gland
A two-lobed gland within the cranial cavity that produces hormones that control the other endocrine glands
Thyroid gland
An endocrine gland located in the throat that is regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary system
Parathyroid hormone
A hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands that controls calcium and phosphate levels in the blood
Pineal gland
An endocrine gland located in or on the brain of vertebrates that secretes the hormone melatonin to regulate biological rhythms
Islets of Langerhans
Endocrine cell clusters inside the pancreas that produce insulin and glucagon
Type I Diabetes (juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes)
Occurs in infants (born) when the beta cells in the pancreas don’t produce insulin and treated with daily insulin injections or pumps
Type II Diabetes
Occurs in adults when there’s a reduced insulin production and/or the ability of insulin to bind to its receptors properly and treated with proper diet and exercise
Gestational Diabetes
Occurs in about 2-10% of pregnant women when high glucose develops, but it usually temporary
Testosterone
The main male sex hormone, which stimulates and controls the development of male secondary sexual characteristics
Estrogens
Predominantly female sex hormones, including estradiol, that trigger sexual development
Progestins
Predominantly female sex hormones, including progesterone, that control the menstrual cycle
Synthetic hormone
A hormone created by humans that behaves like a natural hormone
Ex. prednisone
Gonads
Glands responsible for the production of sex hormones, as well as the egg and sperm cells; called testes in males and ovaries in females
Androgens
Predominantly male sex hormones, including testosterone, that control sexual development and reproduction
gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
A hormone released by the hypothalamus that controls the release of LH and FSH from the anterior pituitary, which, in turn, control the synthesis and release of the male or female sex hormones in the gonads
Oogenesis
The production of eggs, or ova, from oocytes in the ovaries by two meiotic divisions
Menopause
The end of a female’s reproductive capability, after which menstruation ceases and female hormone levels drop
Menstrual cycle
The monthly cycle of events in a sexually mature female that prepares the uterus for the implantation of a fertilized egg
Spermatogenesis
The production and development of sperm cells in the testes
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
Development of the egg in the ovaries and sperm in the seminiferous tubules
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Production of testosterone and triggers ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum
