Endocrine Vocabulary Flashcards
Autocrine
Local hormone that affects the cell that released it
Hypothyroidism
abnormally low activity of the thyroid gland, resulting in slowing of growth and mental development in children and metabolic changes in adults, hormone low in blood level
Calcitonin
decreases the blood calcium ion level by causing calcium to be deposited in the bones, slows/stops production in adults
Adrenalin
a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands, especially in conditions of stress, increasing rates of blood circulation, breathing, and carbohydrate metabolism and preparing muscles for exertion
Glucagon
antagonist of insulin, releases glucose into blood, stimulates liver to do it
Epinephrine
a hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla upon stimulation by CNS in response to stress, such as anger or fear, acting to increase heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, and carbohydrate metabolism
Cortisol
one of several steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex, keeps blood sugar stable
Melatonin
makes us drowsy, the peak occurs at night, the lowest amount at noon
Insulin
increases body cells’ ability to import glucose across their plasma membranes, sweeps glucose out of blood
Hormone
chemical substances secreted by endocrine cells into the extracellular fluids that regulate the metabolic activity of other cells in the body
Estrogen
Female sex hormone
Hypothalamus
part of the nervous system, also a major endocrine organ because it produces several hormones
Oxytocin
stimulates contractions during childbirth, breastfeeding, and sexual relations, and causes milk ejection (released by the hypothalamus)
Prostaglandins
hormones that act locally
Testosterone
promotes the growth and maturation of the reproductive system organs, and causes secondary sex characteristics, necessary for the production of sperm