Glands Flashcards
Endocrine glands
Secrete HORMONES directly into the blood, all epithelial cells in the gland secrete hormones, ductless
Exocrine glands
Secrete enzymes or lubricants through ducts, only cells at the apex of the duct secrete the products
Merocrine secretion process
Vesicle migrates to cell surface. in presence of Ca2+ ions, membrane vesicles fuse with plasma membrane and cargo is released
Pinocytosis
Liquid droplets are ingested by the cell
Importance of glycolsylation
Aids protein folding, prevents protein digestion by intracellular proteases, cell recognition
Hormone
Chemical messenger produced by endocrine glands
How are endocrine glands derived from epithelial tissue?
During development in the embryo, epithelial tissues fold inwards or pinch off, endocrine glands lose their ducts, epithelial cells become more specialised for hormone production and arrange around capillaries
Pituitary gland and hypothalamus position
Pituitary gland is like a little leaf sticking out, directly above it s hypothalamus
Thyroid gland function: calcium regulation
Calcium regulation by C-cells by secreting calcitonin, which is released when calcium levels are high and inhibited when low
Thyroid gland role: metabolism
T3 play role in increasing BMR, promotes thermogenesis by increasing uncoupling proteins in mitochondria
Parathyroid gland
On the back of thyroid gland, chief cells produce parathyroid hormone (PTH) which regulates calcium metabolism, when levels of calcium drop it is released
Adrenal medulla
Composed of chromaffin cells which are modified neurons, they secrete adrenaline and noradrenaline
Adrenal cortex
Surrounds adrenal medulla, includes 3 layers: zonal glomerulosa, zonal fasciculata, zonal reticularis
Zona glomerulosa: outer
Aldosterone regulates BP
Zona fasciculata: middle
Glucocorticoids mobilises fats, proteins and carbs