Endocrinology Flashcards
What is an endocrine gland?
A group of cells which secrete messenger molecules directly into the bloodstream
What is a hormone
A bioactive messenger molecule secreted by endocrine glands into the blood.
Where is secretin released from and where does it act?
Secretin is released from the Small intestine - duodenal ‘S’ cells and acts in the pancreas
What does Secretin do?
Stimulates bicarbonate-rich secretions in the pancreas in response to acid chyme from the stomach
Define endocrine
A hormone’s action on target cells at a distance
Define paracrine
A hormone’s action on nearby target cells
Define autocrine
A hormone having an effect on its immediate source (same cell)
Define cryptocrine
A hormone having a ‘hidden’ effect within its own cell production
State x3 differences between the endocrine and nervous systems
Endocrine = Release of chemical into bloodstream, effect can be on many target cells around the body, longer effect (can be up to days).
Nervous system = Release of chemical across a synapse, effect is restricted to specific target cells innervated (shorter effect within milliseconds).
For a hormone to have an effect what must a tissue have?
Tissues must express certain receptors.
Name x5 endocrine glands
Pituitary gland, Parathyroid gland, Adrenal gland, Pancreas and gonads.
What is an alternate name for the anterior pituitary gland?
Adenohypophysis
What is an alternate name for the posterior pituitary gland?
Neurohypophysis
What are the three classifications of hormones?
Protein/ polypeptide hormones, steroid hormones and miscellaneous.
All Steroid hormones derive from which compound?
Cholesterol
Name in ascending size order from small peptides - intermediate peptides - complex peptides
TRH < Insulin < LH
Where are proteins synthesised?
In the Rough Endoplasmic reticulum
What is the structure of the hormone before it is active?
Pre-hormone to Pro-hormone which is cut and transported to the GA where it is processed by proteolytic enzymes to form the active hormone.
What is the difference between the Pre-hormone and Pro-hormone?
Pre-hormone = shorter (40 aas) Pro-hormone = longer (240aas)
How is the protein transported from the Golgi Apparatus to the circulation?
Protein is stored in vesicles which fuse with the membrane and are moved out of the cell via exocytosis.
What is the difference between a polypeptide and a protein?
A polypeptide is a single chain whereas a protein is a more complex structure.
What is the difference between how protein and steroid hormones are exported from the cell?
Steroid hormones move freely across the cell membrane whereas protein hormones are packed into secretory granules.
What is the difference between the fatty acid backbone and the steroid backbone?
Fatty acid backbone = glycerol
Steroid backbone = cholesterol
Where is ACTH produced?
The corticotroph cell within the anterior pituitary gland