Exam 2 Review: Endocrine System Flashcards
What does the endocrine system do?
Allows communication among cells of the body.
What is different about the endocrine system when compared to the nervous system?
Unlike the nervous system, though, the endocrine system is slower to act and its actions generally last longer, so it tends to be used for long term regulation of growth, development, metabolism and reproduction.
Nervous system =
“system of wires” using action potentials and neurotransmitters
Endocrine system =
“wireless”, using hormones and receptors
A hormone is
Chemical messenger released by a cell or gland in one part of the body that affects cells in other parts of the body.(travels through blood)
3 classes of vertebrate hormones
1.peptide-derived from amino acid
2.monoamine-derived from amino acide
3.lipid-based-derived from steroid or eicosanoid
Hydrophilic hormones
Circulate in the bloodstream, then diffuse out to bind to target cells. These are active for a relatively short period of time before they’re metabolized by the liver and excreted through the kidneys.
Hydrophobic horomones
also travel in the bloodstream, but mostly bound to transport proteins (albumin, for example). This allows them to move more easily through the blood and slows their metabolic degradation and excretion so they’re able to stay active longer.
They are also bioavailable.
Hormone activated signaling pathways must have..
1.Permissive effects
2.Synergistic (additive) effects
3. Antagonist (opposing) effects
The pancreas has two sections
1.Exocrine
2.Endocrine
The endocrine pancreas has what type of cells? What does it do?
Acinar cells which release enzymes related to digestion
The endocrine pancreas contains what ? What does it do?
Contains islets and is responsible for controlling blood sugar
What do Alpha (A cells) do?
Secrete the hormone glucagon
What do beta (B cells) do?
Produce insulin
Islets of Langerhans does what (long name for islets)
Secrete hormones (insulin & glucagon) into the blood stream.
For people with insulin-
dependent diabetes mellitus,
exogenous insulin does what?
Makes up for lack of natural insulin
Define glucagon
hormone released from alpha cells in the pancreas
Define glycogen
the storage form of glucose
Insulin does what to cells?
Insulin signals cells to insert transporters into the membrane, greatly increasing glucose uptake.
What happens in the absence of insulin?
Little glucose enters the cell.
Type 1 diabetes is
Insulin dependent decreased or impaired production.
Type 2 diabetes is
non-insulin dependent insulin resistance.
Gestational diabetes is
insulin resistance secondary to hormones
produced by the placenta.
typically self-limiting and should resolve
post-partum
Hyperglycemia is
high glucose levels in blood
Hypoglycemia is
low glucose levels in blood