Endocrine System Introduction

Question 1

Function Of The Endocrine System?

Answer 1

Controls the body’s functions using chemical substances (hormones), that are transported throughout the body via blood.

Question 2

Describe the chemical coordination of animals HINT: 3 Steps

Answer 2

1.) Releases hormones from gland cells into extracellular fluid (ECF)
2.) Gets transported through the bloodstream
3.) Initiates a change using the hormones within the target area/cell

Question 3

Condense the Chemical Coordination Steps

Answer 3

Hormones released from gland cell = extracellular fluid = blood = target area = response

Question 4

2 Types of Hormones and examples of each.

Answer 4

1.) Protein Hormones - Insulin and HGH (Human Growth Hormone)
2.) Steroid Hormones - Cortisol, Estrogen, Testestrone

Question 5

What makes Protein Hormone different from the Steroid Hormone?

Answer 5

Protein Hormone is ‘water soluble’, meaning it sends out chemical messengers to the target area but it CANNOT enter the cell, instead they attach to the receptors of the cell memberane which activates the enzymes within the cell.

Question 6

What makes the Steroid Hormone different than the Protein Hormone?

Answer 6

Steroid Hormone is derived from cholestrol (fat soluble), meaning it can easily cross the cell memberane and enter the nucleus to activate certain genes (e.g. cortisol, estrogen, testesterone)

Question 7

Define an Endocrine Gland

Answer 7

Secretes chemical messengers (hormones) into the blood stream.

Question 8

Define Exocrine Gland

Answer 8

Secretes substances and/or hormones into empty vessels (not filled with blood) OR into any place with an opening.

Question 9

Is Hormone Action faster or slower than nerve impluse, and why?

Answer 9

Hormone action is SLOWER than nerve impulse because hormones circulate throughout the bloodstream. Hormones involve a sustained adapation to change (e.g. blood sugar, growth) whereas, nerve impluse involves reactions to stimuli (e.g. moving finger off a hot iron)

Question 10

When would hormone action be THE SAME RATE as nerve impluse?

Answer 10

The only hormone that would go at the same rate as nerve impulse is, Adrenaline. Its action is considered to be immediate as it is involved during life threatening situations.

Question 11

Define Non Target Cells and Provide 2 examples

Answer 11

Non Target Cells affect many cells within the body rather than just one. (e.g. Growth, regulates the development of long bones and repairs tissues. Adrenaline, fight or flight response.)

Question 12

Define Target Cells and provide 3 examples

Answer 12

Target cells affect specific cells within the body, or specific tissues. (e.g. TSH - Thyroid Secreting Hormone (targets thyroid), ACTH (targets kidney), Parathyroid Hormone (regulates calcium levels in blood, targets liver)

Question 13

Use Ligand as an example for this; “There is a cell sending ligand over to a Target cell vs a Non Target Cell”, What will happen?

Answer 13

Once the Ligand reaches the receptor of the target cell, a response will be made. For Non Target Cell, no response can be made because there is no receptor for it.

Question 14

Functions of a Hormone

Answer 14

1.) Can speed up/slow down action of an organ
2.) Causes a release of other hormones
3.) Alters the permability of a cell to various nutrients

Question 15

Hormones can be produced or released in response to the a.) ___________ or the other chemicals in blood b.) _________

Answer 15

a.) Nervous system
b.) Hormones