Hormonal Communication

Question 1

Where are adrenal glands located and what are the two distinct parts of them?

Answer 1

• On top of each kidney
• Adrenal cortex (outer region) and adrenal medulla (inner)

Question 2

What hormones does the adrenal cortex produce?

Answer 2

• Produces hormones vital to survival
• Glucocorticoids like cortisol and corticosterone
• Mineralocorticoids such as aldosterone
• Small amount of androgens (male and female sex hormones) like testosterone

Question 3

What hormones does the adrenal medulla produce?

Answer 3

• Non-essential hormones that help the body respond to stress
• Adrenaline and noradrenaline

Question 4

What is the role of cortisol?

Answer 4

• Helps to regulate metabolism by controlling how the body converts fats, proteins and carbs into energy
• Helps to regulate blood pressure and CV function in response to stress
• Work with corticosterone to regulate the immune system and suppress inflammation

Question 5

What is the role of aldosterone?

Answer 5

Helps control blood pressure by maintaining the balance between salts and water concentrations in the blood and body fluids

Question 6

Describe the differences between the islets of Langerhans and pancreatic acini including appearance, type of tissue and function

Answer 6

• Pancreatic acini are darker stained and smaller
• Islets - endocrine pancreas, produce and secrete hormones
• Acini - exocrine pancreas, produce and secrete digestive enzymes

Question 7

What is the role of glucagon in increasing blood glucose concentration?

Answer 7

• Actives enzymes in liver cells that perform glycogenolysis
• Actives enzymes in liver cells that promote gluconeogenesis
• Inhibiting the secretion of insulin from beta cells via negative feedback

Question 8

How does insulin reduce BGC?

Answer 8

• Increasing the rate of glucose absorption into cells, especially muscle cells
• Increasing the rate of respiration
• Promoting glycogenesis and decreasing gluconeogenesis
• Inhibiting secretion of insulin from alpha cells

Question 9

Describe type 1 diabetes

Answer 9

1. Occurs when the beta cells in the islets of Langerhans produce no insulin
2. Typically begins in early insulin
3. May be a result of an autoimmune response where they body attacks its own beta cells

Question 10

Describe type 2 diabetes

Answer 10

1. Occurs when beta cells don’t produce enough insulin or body cells don’t produce enough insulin
2. More frequent in adults, but starting to become more frequent in children
3. Largely the result of being overweight, excessive carb intake and/or physical activity

Question 11

How are type 1 and 2 diabetes usually treated?

Answer 11

• Type 1 - regular insulin injections, careful monitoring of diet and physical activity to control sugar intake, islet cell transplantation
• Type 2 - Managed or prevented by controlling sugar intake and regular exercise, some medication may be used to make cells more sensitive to or secrete more insulin, insulin therapy may be used