hormonal communication Flashcards
examples of glands in exocrine system
salivary glands (secrete saliva, containing amylase w cofactor Cl-)
liver (secretes bile, which emulsifies fats & neutralises stomach acid)
stomach (secretes gastric juice)
pancreas (secretes pancreatic juice from acinar cells)
examples of glands in endocrine system
pituitary gland (secretes ADH, which increases permeability of CD to water so increase reabsorption)
thyroid (secretes thyroxine, which regulates metabolic rate: fight/flight)
adrenal gland (secretes adrenaline and noradrenaline)
pancreas (secretes insulin and glucagon to lower or increase BGL)
ovaries (secrete oestrogen and progesterone)
testes (secrete testosterone)
what do glands do
secrete a substance
exocrine vs endocrine
exocrine: secretes substances e.g. enzymes into ducts, which open out into the body cavity
endocrine: ductless, secretes hormones directly into the blood
hormone definition
chemical messenger
produced by endocrine gland
travels in blood plasma
bind to specific target cells in organ(s)/tissue(s)
can reach whole body and effective in minute quantities
2 types of hormones
non steroid
steorid
describe properties of non-steroid hormones
water-soluble/hydrophilic/polar
do NOT enter the cell bc not lipid soluble
bind to specific, complementary receptors on cell surface membrane
examples of non steroid hormones
GLOBULAR PROTEINS eg insulin, ADH, glucagon
AMINE e.g. adrenaline, noradrenaline
properties of steroid hormones
lipid-soluble, derived form cholesterol: carried by plasma proteins
diffuse through phospholipid bilayer and bind to intracellular complementary receptors in the cytoplasm
switch on/off genes to cause response
examples of steroid hormones
testosterone, aldosterone. oestrogen, progesterone
what are non-steroid hormones known as in their mode of action
why
first messengers
they are hydrophilic so cannot pass easily through cell membrane: therefore remain outside the cell, and bind to glycoprotein receptors in the cell membrane
mode of action of non-steroid hormones
first messenger (hormone) binds to glycoprotein receptor in plasma membrane bc cannot pass through membrane as hydrophilic
cause release of another signalling molecule inside the cell (called the second messenger)
leads to a response
what is a common second messenger for non-steroid hormones
G protein
mode of action of steroid hormones
steroid hormone passes through the phospholipid bilayer bc it is lipid soluble
binds to complementary intracellular receptor in cytoplasm
forms hormone receptor complex, which acts as transcription factor
transcription factor inhibits/switches on gene
protein is produced e.g. enzyme, channel protein, hormone etc
how can one hormone have different effects on different targets
different receptor may be present
second messenger may activate different enzymes/channels
different second messengers may be activated
second messenger level may increase or decrease within the cell
location of adrenal glands
2 above kidneys
size of adrenal glands
3x5cm
5g
3 layers of adrenal cortex from outside to inside
zona glomerulosa
zona fasciculata
zone reticularis
GFR
parts of adrenal gland
adrenal cortex
adrenal medulla
type of hormone secreted by zona glomerulosa
mineral corticoids
e.g. aldosterone
aldosterone function
controls concentrations of sodium and potassium in the blood
acts on cells in the distal tubules and collecting ducts in the kidney causing increased Na+ absorption leading to increased water retention
what type of hormone does the zona fasciculata secrete
glucocorticoids
e.g. cortisol
cortisol function
helps control metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the liver:
e.g. inhibits protein synthesis causing blood increase in amino acids
also promotes fatty acid release form adipose tissue as an energy source
released in response to stress, or low blood sugar, bc stimulates production of glucose gluconeogenesis
what type of hormone does the zona reticularis secrete
cortisol or precursor molecules of sex hormones (ANDROGENS)
e.g. oestrogen in females and testosterone in males
function of androgens
released and are converted to sex hormone which help secondary sexual characteristics develop and regulate production of gametes
what do the cells in the adrenal medulla produce
adrenaline
adrenaline structure/properties
polar molecule
derived the amino acid tyrosine
cannot pass directly across cell surface membrane so must be detected by specialised receptors in the target cell
why are the effects of adrenaline widespread
many cells and tissues have specialised adrenaline receptors
action of adrenaline on liver cells
adrenaline is hydrophilic so soluble in plasma
binds to receptor on cell surface membrane (complementary binding)
receptor changes shape, causing a G protein to be activated
G protein binds to and activates adenyl cyclase enzyme
this converts ATP into the 2nd messenger cyclic AMP
this activates other enzymes (protein kinases) which activate other enzymes (cascade effect)
this leads to a response (e.g. glycogenolysis and inhibition of glycogenesis)
why does adrenaline cause glucose to be released in a frightening situation?
muscles need glucose for respiration to release ATP to sustain muscle contraction to run away/ fight
how can the effect of adrenaline continue for hours when adrenaline only has a lifespan of 1-3 minutes in the body
adrenaline continues to be secreted form adrenal glands over a long period of time
what percentage of pancreatic tissue are the islets of langerhans
5%
parts of pancreas
islets of langerhans
pancreatic duct
acinar cells
pancreatic duct function
carries pancreatic juice to small intestine