Hormonal communication

Question 1

Name the two types of hormones.

Answer 1

1. protein and peptide hormones

2. steroid hormones

Question 2

Name each endocrine glands.

Answer 2

1. pituitary
2. thyroid
3. thymus
4. adrenal gland
5. pancreas
6. ovaries (in women)
7. testes (in men)

Question 3

What hormone is produced by the pituitary? and what does the hormone do?

Answer 3

produces many hormones.

Question 4

What hormone is produced by the thyroid? and what does the hormone do?

Answer 4

thyroid controls metabolism also effects growth, maturation and nervous system activity.

Question 5

What hormone is produced by the testes? and what does the hormone do?

Answer 5

Produces testosterone

Question 6

How do protein hormones work?

Answer 6

As proteins are insoluble in the phospholipid bilayer they cannot just enter the cell they bind to a receptor in the cell surface and release a secondary messenger in the cell.

Question 7

What hormone is produced by the ovaries? and what does the hormone do?

Answer 7

1. Oestrogen which effects development of female sexual characteristics and reproductive development
2. Progesterone which stimulates the lining of the uterus for fertilisation, prepares the breast milk for production.

Question 8

Example of a steroid hormone.

Answer 8

Sex hormones.

Question 9

Example of protein hormones.

Answer 9

Adrenaline, insulin and glucagon.

Question 10

How do steroid hormones work?

Answer 10

They can pass through the cell membrane and directly effect the DNA. When they pass through the cell membrane they then bind with a specific receptor in the cytoplasm. the receptor steroid complex enters the nucleus and binds to another specific receptor on the chromosomal material. The binding stimulates transaction.

Question 11

What is a first messenger?

Answer 11

The binding of hormone to receptor on the cell surface that initiates a series of events which lead to another molecule, inside the cell.

Question 12

What is adrenaline?

Answer 12

Adrenaline is produced when there is stress for example pain or fear. This produces a response which readies the body for action (fight or flight)§

Question 13

What is adrenaline?

Answer 13

Adrenaline is produced when there is stress for example pain or fear. This produces a response which readies the body for action (fight or flight).

Question 14

What are the body’s responses to adrenaline?

Answer 14

1. relaxes smooth muscle in bronchioles
2. increase stroke volume
3. increase heart rate
4. Vasoconstriction
5. converts glycogen into glucose
6. dilates pupils
7. increases awareness
8. inhibits action of the gut
9. causes body hair to erect

Question 15

What is the structure of the adrenal gland?

Answer 15

The adrenal gland is made up of two main parts. The adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex is separated into three zones, which are responsible for producing specific hormones.

Question 16

What are the three layers of the adrenal cortex?

Answer 16

1. zona glomerulosa
2. zona fasciculata
3. zona reticularis

Question 17

What is the function of the zona glomerulosa region of the adrenal cortex?

Answer 17

Secretes mineralocaticoids which helps the concentration of sodium and potassium in the blood and therefor blood pressure.

Question 18

Give an example of a mineralocaticoid.

Answer 18

Aldosterone

Question 19

What is the function of the zona fasciculata?

Answer 19

secretes glucocorticoids which helps control metabolism of carbs, fats and proteins in the liver.

Question 20

Give an example of a glucocorticoids.

Answer 20

Cortisol

Question 21

What is the function of the zona reticularis?

Answer 21

Secretes precursors for sex hormones. When taken up by the ovaries and testes they are converted into sex hormones which help development of secondary characteristics.

Question 22

Name the hormone released my the adrenal medulla.

Answer 22

Adrenaline.

Question 23

What is an exocrine gland?

Answer 23

Glands that have ducts that secrete substances rather than hormones, into the a duct that carries the molecules to where they are used.

Question 24

What is an endocrine gland?

Answer 24

These are ductless glands that have blood vessels that run through them. secreting hormones directly into the blood stream where they are then transported to their target cell or tissue.

Question 25

What is the pancreas?

Answer 25

The pancreas is a small organ that is located within the abdomen in mammals. it can function as both an endocrine gland and an exocrine gland.

Question 26

What is the pancreases endocrine function?

Answer 26

The pancreas produces the hormones glucagon and insulin. The pancreas contains islets of langerhans which are dispersed in small patches within the lobules of acini. the islets contain beta cells which produce insulin and alpha cells which produce glucagon.