exam 4: endocrine system Flashcards
function of endocrine glands
secrete hormones into bloodstream
define hormone
chemical message that regulates activity of other blood cells
- requires blood supply
- slow messenger
function of feedback loop
constantly adjusts hormone levels
define negative feedback loop
stimulus causes an endocrine organ to release hormones to return body to homeostasis
what is the endocrine system
all the endocrine glands in the body
what oversees the endocrine system
hypothalamus
pros the endocrine system
can reach multiple cells and has a longer signal
which 3 ways does the hypothalamus oversee
1) produces “releasing” hormones that regulate anterior pituitary
2) produces hormones that are stored in posterior pituitary
3) oversees autonomic nervous system
anatomical purpose of infundibulum
connects pituitary gland and hypothalamus
what are the 2 posterior pituitary hormones
oxytocin
anti-diuretic
target and function of oxytocin
target: reproductive organs
function: stimulate smooth muscle contraction in reproduction. stimulates breastmilk release
target and function of anti-diuretic
target: kidneys
function: inhibits urine formation/ production
target and function of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
target: thyroid gland
function: stimulate thyroid to produce/release its own hormones
target and function of prolactin
target: mammary glands
function: stimulates brestmilk production
target and function of Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
target: adrenal cortex
function: stimulates adrenal cortex to release its hormones
target and function of growth hormone
target: most body cells, especially bone and skeletal muscle
function: stimulates growth
target of follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH)
ovaries/ testes
location of thyroid gland
anterior to trachea and inferior to larynx
target and function of thyroid hormone
target: virtually ALL cells in the body
function: increase metabolism
the thyroid gland hormone is produced by what structures?
follicle cells
target and function of calcitonin
target: bone (blood deposition of calcium from blood into tissue
function: lowers blood calcium levels
calcitonin is stimulated by what?
high calcium levels in the blood
calcitonin is produced by?
parafollicular cells
what are the parathyroid glands
4 tiny oval masses on posterior thyroid
target and function of parathyroid hormones (PTH)
target: bone–encourages uptake of calcium into bloodstream from bone
function: raises blood calcium levels (creating osteoclasts)
parathyroid hormone is stimulated by
low levels of calcium in blood
location of the adrenal glands
on top of kidneys
function of adreanal cortex
release corticosteriods in response to ACTH
list the 3 groups of steroids from the adrenal gland
1) mineralcorticoids
controls balance of sodium and potassium ions in body fluids
2) glucocorticoids
stimulates metabolism of glucose
3) sex hormones
secretes small amounts of androgens (male) some converted into estrogen (female)
adrenal medulla is stimulated by
sympathetic nervous system
adrenal medulla secretes?
epinephrine and norepinephrine
pancreatic islets
produce hormones– insulin and glucagon
functions of insulin
- lowers blood sugar (glucose) levels
- enhances cells to pick up glucose
- helps convert glucose into glycogen
what happens when glucose levels are LOW
glucagon is secreted in the pancreas and glucose levels are increased
function of glucagon
raises blood sugar levels by breaking glycogen down into glucose
the ovaries produce what hormones
estrogen and progesterone
the testes produce what hormones
androgens and testosterone
