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BIOM2010 > Endocrinology > Flashcards

Endocrinology Flashcards

1
Q

Simply, explain the premise of the endocrine system.

A

A control system which acts by secreting hormones directly into the bloodstream which then travel to various parts of the body and act on effectors to induce a physiological response.

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2
Q

What constitutes an endocrine gland? Give an example.

A

A group of endocrine cells found at one site. Eg. The anterior pituitary gland.

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3
Q

Name the four glands with sole endocrine function.

A

Pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal gland

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4
Q

Breifley explain the concept of cell signalling.

A

All cells are regulated by the endocrine system. Every cells secretes signalling molecules to be able to communicate with other cells.

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5
Q

List the two types of direct intercellular communication.

A

Gap junctions (involving ions and small molecules)

Transient direct linkup of cells surface markers (cells join and communicate)

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6
Q

What are the five types of indirect intercellular communication via extra cellular chemical messengers.

A 
Paracrine secretion (cell releases a signalling molecule to act on a neighbouring cell) 
Autocrine secretion (cell releases a signalling molecule to act on itself) 
Neurotransmitter secretion (a neurotransmitter is released and acts on a local target cell) 
Hormonal secretion (an endocrine cell secretes a hormone directly into the blood stream) 
Neurohormone secretion (a neurohormone is released from a neuron into the blood stream)
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7
Q

Explain in detail the process of neurohormone secretion.

A

A neurohormone is synthesised in the cell body of a neuron, and then travels down the axon and is stored in a vesicle. Upon a action potential being released, the neurohormone is then released from the neuron directly into the blood stream to then travel through the body to the target receptors and organs.

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8
Q

What are the three types of molecules that can be hormones? Which is the most common?

A

Amino acid derivatives— derivatives of tyrosine and tryptophan
Peptides — glycoproteins and short polypeptides and small proteins
Lipid derivatives — steroid hormones and eicosanioids

Peptides.

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9
Q

What two major things does the physiological response of a hormone depend on?

A

Concentration of hormone = free bio active hormone

Sensitivity of target cells

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10
Q

What are the three types of intracellular events which can occur when a hormone binds to a receptor? Explain briefly

A
  • alters channel permeability
  • acts through second messenger system to alter protein activity
  • activates specific genes to cause formation of new proteins
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11
Q

How are hormone systems regulated?

A

Stimulus —> endocrine gland —> target tissue —> response

This process is controlled or regulated through negative feedback which keeps the body in a state of homeostasis

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12
Q

What are the two main causes of endocrine disorders?

A

Too little hormone activity (hypo secretion, increased clearance, tissue resistance)
Too much hormone activity (hyper secretion, reduced plasma protein binding, reduced clearance, excessive response at target tissue)

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13
Q

What are the two broad areas that the hypothalamus is responsible for?

A

Behaviour

Vegetative state

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14
Q

Does the hypothalamus act on its own?

A

No, it’s connected to many other areas of the brain.

Remember the appetite scenario.

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15
Q

What are the two hormones that are released from the posterior pituitary gland?

A

Vasopressin (ADH) and oxytocin

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16
Q

What do vasopressin and oxytocin have in common? (3 points)

A
  • both are peptides with 9 amino acid residues
  • cheap and easy to synthesise
  • both release by the posterior pituitary gland (I.e., neurohormone secretion)
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17
Q

What are the target tissues of oxytocin?

A

Uterus - stimulates uterine contractions

Mammary glands - stimulates milk ejection during breast feeding

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18
Q

What are the targets of vasopressin?

A

Nephrons - to increase reuptake of H2O

Arterioles - vasoconstriction to increase blood pressure

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19
Q

What is the main difference between the anterior and posterior pituitary?

A

Anterior - lots of endocrine cells (hormone signalling)

Posterior - full of nerve terminals on blood vessels (neurohormone signalling)

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20
Q

Briefly explain the milk ejection reflex.

A

Stretch receptors on nipple are activated - spinal cord - brain steam - hypothalamus - oxytocin release from posterior pituitary - acts on myoepithelial cells which then contract to release milk

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21
Q

Milk ejection during breast feeding is an example of?

A

Positive feedback

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22
Q

Briefly explain the pharmacology of oxytocin in the breast

A
  • OT binds to the OT receptors on the smooth muscle cells
  • this activates the G-protein which then up regulates IP3 and DAG
  • Ca2+ influx into cell which causes muscular contraction
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23
Q

What is an oxytocic?

A

An agent which increases the force of uterine contraction

24
Q

List four example of oxytocics

A

Oxytocin
Misoprostol
Dinoprostone
Ergmetrine (complex pharmacology)

25
Q

What is a tocolytic and name one.

A

A tocolytic is an agent which decreases uterine tone. An example of one is Atosiban.

26
Q

What type of antagonist is atosiban and at which receptors does it act?

A

Competitive antagonist at oxytocin receptors

27
Q

List the five types of endocrine cells in the anterior pituitary gland

A

Somatotrophs, lactotrophs, gonadotrophs, thyrotrophs, corticotrophs

28
Q

Which hormone do somatotrophs secrete and what are the 3 target tissues?

A

Growth hormone

Liver, muscle, fat

29
Q

Which hormone do lactotrophs secrete and what is the target tissue ?

A

Prolactin

Breast tissue

30
Q

What hormones do the gonadotrophs secrete and what is the target tissue?

A

LH/FSH

Gonads

31
Q

What type of hormone do thyrotrophs release and what is the target tissue?

A

TSH

Thyroid

32
Q

What hormone do corticotrophs secrete and what is the target tissue?

A 
ACTH
Adrenal cortex (outer layer of the adrenal gland - sits on top of the kidneys)
33
Q

Tropic hormones control the activity of ANOTHER endocrine gland. List four tropic hormones.

A

ACTH, TSH, FSH, LH

34
Q

List two hormones which have an effect in their own right.

A

Prolactin and GH

35
Q

How is the secretion of anterior pituitary hormones controlled?

A

These hormones are controlled in response to the neurohormones called ‘releasing factors’

36
Q

What is hypopothalmo-pituitary disconnection? And what effect does it have on the anterior pituitary hormones?

A

When the pituitary stalk is severed

Prolactin increases but all other hormones decrease in concentration

37
Q

What is the RIF (releasing inhibitory factor) for prolactin?

A

Dopamine

38
Q

What is the RF and RIF for GH?

A

GHRH and somatostation

39
Q

What is the RF for TSH

A

TRH

40
Q

What is the RF for ACTH ?

A

CRH

41
Q

Name the RF and RIF for FSH and LH

A

GnRH and GnIH

42
Q

What type of hormone is prolactin?

A

Polypeptide hormone with 199 amino acids

43
Q

In a non-lactating individual, are prolactin levels relatively high or low?

A

Low

44
Q

What does prolactin stimulate and what is the outcome of this stimulation?

A

Alveolar epithelium to synthesise and secrete milk

45
Q

Which TYPE of receptors does prolactin bind to?

A

Cytokine

46
Q

What maintains the low prolactin levels in non-lactating individuals?

A

Negative feedback

47
Q

Briefly describe the cell signalling process for prolactin

A
  1. Prolactin binds to the cytokine receptor
  2. JAK phosphorolates
  3. STAT5 phosphorolates
  4. STATs form a diner
  5. This diner enters the nucleus
  6. Unregulates the synthesis of milk proteins
48
Q

Explain the difference between long and short negative feedback loops for prolactin.

A

Short- prolactin feedbacks from the anterior pituitary to the hypothalamus
Long - feedback from the hormone released at endocrine gland to the anterior pituitary and the hypothalamus

49
Q

What is tyrosine hydroxylase, how is it produced and what is it’s function?

A

Is is a rate limiting enzyme which is produced by gene regulation caused by the stat dimer in the nucleus.
It is critical for the production of dopamine which then regulates the release of prolactin in the negative feedback loop

50
Q

In lactation, what causes the prolactin levels to be so high?

A

The suckling stimulus upregulates CIS protein which blocks the normal signal transduction (and the stat dinmer cannot be formed) which means that the tyrosine hydroxylase is not produced and therefore neither is dopamine which controls the release of prolactin. Therefore prolactin is higher in lactating individuals.

51
Q

Briefly describe the role of oxytocin and prolactin in breast feeding

A

Oxytocin - milk let down reflex (muscle movement)

Prolactin - stimulates production of milk for the next feed

52
Q

What is the outcome of too much prolactin?

A

Hypo secretion - poor milk production

53
Q

What is the outcome of too much prolactin?

A

Hyper secretion. This can cause prolactinomas

  • Galactorrhea and amenorrhea in females
  • gynecomastia and low libido in males
54
Q

Name a dopamine agonist.

A

Bromocriptine

55
Q

Name a dompaine antagonist

A

Haloperidol (antipsychotic)

BIOM2010 (4 decks)

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