General Terms Flashcards
Endocrine System
a chemical messenger system comprising feedback loops of the hormones released by internal glands of an organism directly into the circulatory system
Hormone
a chemical substance released by a cell or a gland in one part of the body that sends out messages that affect cells in other parts of the organism
Steroidal Hormones
made of steroids; can cross the cell membrane easily (EX: estrogen, testosterone, cortisol)
Nonsteroidal Hormones
made of amino acids/proteins; cannot easily cross cell membrane; instead bind to receptor on cell’s surface (EX: glucagon, insulin)
Prostaglandins
tissue hormones; don’t travel in blood stream; target cells near where they are produced
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
stimulates secretion of thyroid hormone
Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH)
stimulates secretion of cortisol from adrenals
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Females - simulates development of ova/eggs in ovaries
Males - stimulates production of sperm in testes
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
Females - causes ovulation and secretion of estrogen and progesterone
Males - stimulates production of testosterone
Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH)
synthesizes Melanin (pigment) in skin cells
Growth Hormone (GH)
promotes normal growth; breaks down fat; slows breakdown of glucose
Prolactin
stimulates breast milk production post pregnancy
Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
promotes reabsorption of water in kidney tubules (not a stimulating or trophic hormone)
Oxytocin
causes uterine contractions during labor
Functions of T3 and T4
increase cell’s energy production; stimulate protein synthesis; speed up repair of damaged tissue
Functions of Calcitonin
lowers blood calcium activating osteoblasts to build bone tissue
Parathyroid Glands
secrete Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)-which regulates calcium in blood, and plays a part in bone density
Aldosterone
stimulates body to retain sodium which helps to retain water, blood pressure maintenance
Cortisol
release when someone is stressed, decrease protein synthesis, reduces inflammation which can decrease pain
Epinephrine
prepares body for strenuous activity and stress, reinforces effects on sympathetic nervous system
-only produced in the adrenal gland
Norepinephrine
very similar actions to epinephrine (prepares body for strenuous activity and stress)
-produced in adrenal gland and certain neurons in brain
Exocrine Gland
secretes bile into duct to small intestine
Endocrine Gland
secretes into blood directly
Alpha Cells
secrete glucagon to increase glucose in blood
Beta Cells
secrete insulin to help cells utilize glucose thereby lowering the amount in the blood, aids in protein transport
Ovaries
(Female) Function: development of secondary sex characteristics; produce female sex hormone
Ovarian Follicle
secretes estrogen responsible for breast development
Corpus Luteum
secrets progesterone - maintains uterine lining for pregnancy
Testes
(Male) produce male sex hormone called androgens
Masculinizing Hormone
testosterone - responsible for maturation of external genitals, beard growth, voice change, etc.
Pinealocytes
cells produce and secrete hormone melatonin (role in biological clock, sleep/awake cycle)
