hormonal communication Flashcards
endocrine system
- secretes hormones into blood plasma that travels to target cells which have receptors specific to a hormone
peptide hormone
class of proteins which are bound by receptor proteins
steroid hormone
-lipid based so can diffuses across the cell membrane
action of adrenaline
-primary messenger
-binds to receptors on the surface membrane of target cell which activates the enzyme adenyl cyclase
- adenyl cyclases converts ATP to cyclic AMP (cAMP) which is the secondary messenger inside the cell
cAMP activates enzyme actions depending on the cell adrenaline binds too
the structure and functons of the adrenal glands
-endocrine gland
-outer layer=cortex which releases steroid hormones e.g.cortisol and mineralcortisoids
-inner layer= adrenal medulla which releases peptide hormones e.g, adrenaline and noradrenaline
Endocrine vs exocrine glands
Endocrine= secretes hormones into the bloodstream and are ductless
Exocrine= secretes chemicals into ducts
Histology of the pancreas
- consists of the pancreatic acini which is a berry-like cluster
- has a exocrine function as hormones are secreted into the pancreatic duct
- has a darker stain
- islet of langerhan which has a endocrine function
- made up of Alpha and beta cells
Alpha= glucagon
Beta= insulin - lighter stain
- large spherical structures
How blood glucose levels is regulated
- if high = Beta cells in the islet of Langerhan release insulin. This targets livers and most body cells:
- increased conversion of glucose into fats
-increased glycogenesis ( making glycogen from glucose)
-increased respiration rate
If low
- liver and fat cells are targeted
- increases glucogenlysis ( break down of glycogen to glucose)
how is insulin released
Low glucose
- potassium ion channels are open and calcium ions are closed
- resting potential of -70mv
High glucose
- glucose diffuses into the cell
-glucose is metabolised forming ATP
- ATP causes k+ channels to close
- membrane becomes depolarised
- Ca+ ion channels open
- Ca+ enter the cell causes insulin vesicles to fuse with the membrane to be released by exocytosis
type one diabetes
-Beta cells cannot make insulin,
-thought to be a autoimmune response to beta cells
to treat can use insulin injections
type two diabetes
- beta cells don’t produce enough insulin or cells not sensitive to insulin.
- can be caused by obesity and bad lifestyle
- can be treated by regular excersize, low carb diets
the potental treatments for diabetes mellitus
- genetically modified insulin = purer than from extracting by pigs so less allergy risk
-increases yield
-less religious/ethical concern
-stem cells can be uses to to grow new islet of langerhan