Exam 1 Flashcards
Puberty
Person becomes capable of sexual reproduction
Leads to physical changes
No new hormones produces
No new bodily systems develop
Which system are hormones regulated by?
Endocrine system
Hormones
Substances secreted by endocrine glands
Released by glands and travel throughout the body searching for cells that contain matching receptors- proteins within the target cell or located on the surface of the target cell
The endocrine system
Regulates all biological processes from the conception of an organism through adulthood and into old age regulating many functions of a body
What specific functions does the endocrine system regulate?
Metabolism
Blood sugar levels
Growth and function of the reproductive system
Development of the brain and nervous system
Types of endocrine glands
Female ovaries Male testes Pituitary gland Thyroid gland Adrenal glands
What are glands?
Organs that stimulate particular parts of the body to respond in specific ways
Pituitary gland
Has two lobes- posterior and anterior
Receives signals from the hypothalamus, which is situated above it
This forms the main association between the two systems
Posterior lobe of the pituitary gland
Secretes hormones that are made by the hypothalamus
Anterior lobe of the pituitary gland
Produces its own hormones, several of which act on other endocrine glands
Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis
Another way in which the joint system works together in the fight/flight response
How does the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis work?
When the sympathetic NS activates in an emergency, the hypothalamus immediately releases a hormone called corticotropin to the pituitary gland
When activated, the pituitary gland then releases ACTH into the bloodstream
This hormone travels throughout the body, triggering the release of particular hormones- especially those of the adrenal glands- that facilitate the body’s reaction to the emergency
Corticotropin
Releasing factor hormone
ACTH
Adrenocorticohormone
Adrenal glands
Produce hormones in response to stress and regulate blood pressure, glucose metabolism, and the body’s salt and water balance
How many glands is the adrenal gland made up of and what are they?
Two- the cortex and the medulla
Cortisol
Hormone that helps to control swelling in the event of injury
What can high levels of cortisol and similar hormones lead to?
Unhealthy conditions such as high blood pressure and the formation of ulcers
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine
Also called the adrenalin and noradrenalin hormones
Work together with the sympathetic NS to maximize energy output in the case of emergency by increasing heart and respiratory rates, as well as the liver’s sugar output
What is the difference between epinephrine and norepinephrine being used in the NS vs. the endocrine system?
In the NS they are used as neurotransmitters and thus effects end faster
When utilized by the endocrine system, they operate more slowly and provide longer-lasting effects
Thyroid gland
Critical to the healthy development and maturation of vertebrates and regulates metabolism
Thyroidism Graves disease
HPG loop
Acts as a thermostat
Hypothalamus
Pituitary gland
Gonads
Gonads
Release sex hormones into bloodstream
Androgens and estrogens
Produce steroids that affect growth and development and also regulate reproductive cycles and behaviors
Major categories of gonadal steroids
Androgens, estrogens, and progestins, all of which are found in both males and females but at different levels
