Endocrinology Flashcards
Define an endocrine gland
A ductless gland that secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream
What are the names of the two groups of endocrine glands?
Discrete glands and diffuse glands
How do target cells control sensitivity?
Number of functional receptors
Up-regulation and down-regulation
Name the 4 ways hormone signals are terminated
Negative feedback
Down-regulation of receptors
Hormone half life
Metabolic clearance in liver
What are the three main classes of hormones?
Steroids
Peptides
Amines
What are steroids derived from?
How do they enter the cell, and then the nucleus?
Cholesterol
Passive diffusion into cell
Receptor-mediated endocytosis into nucleus
How do peptides enter the cell
Receptors
What two amino acids are most amines derived from?
Tyrosine and Tryptophan
What does the hypothalamus perceive?
Changes in the external environment
What are the two main hormones of the POSTERIOR Pituitary gland?
Oxytocin and vasopressin
How does the SNS prepare you for fight or flight?
- Vasodilation
- Increased heart rate and blood flow
- mobilize sugars
Name the path of organs that leads to the release of epinepherine and where it acts
- Brain and CNS
- Adrenal gland and kidney
- Heart
What is the end product of the slow arm of stress response?
Cortisol
