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Biology: Module 5 > Hormonal communication > Flashcards

Hormonal communication Flashcards

1
Q

What is the endocrine system?

A

Contains endocrine glands
~~>secrete hormones into blood plasma to target cells

—> have receptors to a hormone

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2
Q

What is a hormone?

A

Chemical messenger

Carry information from one part of body to another.

Steroids,
Proteins,
Glycoproteins,
Polypeptides,
Amines,
Tyrosine derivatives.

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3
Q

What is a peptide hormone?

A

E.g: adrenaline

Hydrophilic

Cannot pass cell surface membrane

Binds through receptor

First messenger = carries message

Turns ATP into cAMP
~~>cascade of reactions

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4
Q

What are steroid hormones?

A

E.g: oestrogen

Lipid based

Diffuse across membrane

Receptor inside the cell

Hormone-receptor complex formed acts as a transcription factor.

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5
Q

What is the thyroid gland responsible for?

A

Produce thyroxine

Controls rate of metabolism

Controls rate of glucose used up in respiration

Promotes growth

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6
Q

Role of pituitary gland?

A

Produces growth hormone

ADH –> increases reabsorption in kidneys

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7
Q

Role of thymus:

A

Produces thymosin

Promotes production + maturation of WBC

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8
Q

What are differences between hormonal communication and neuronal communication?

A

Chemicals vs Nerve impulses

Blood vs Neurones

Widespread vs Localised

Slow vs Rapid

Long-lasting vs Short-lived

All parts of body vs Specific parts of body

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9
Q

What is the adrenal cortex?

A

Outer later of adrenal gland

Releases steroid hormones when stimulated by pituitary gland.

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10
Q

Describe function of glucocorticoids?

A

Regulate metabolism
~~>control how fat/protein/carbs converted into energy

Regulates BP

Suppresses inflammatory response

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11
Q

Describe role of mineral corticoids:

A

Aldosterone

Maintains salt concentration to control BP

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12
Q

Describe roles of androgens:

A

Small amount of sex hormones

Important for women after menopause

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13
Q

What is the adrenal medulla?

A

Inner region

Produces non-essential hormones

Peptide hormones

Stimulated by sympathetic nervous system.

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14
Q

Describe role of adrenaline:

A

Increase heart rate

Increase blood glucose levels
~~>converts glycogen into glucose in liver

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15
Q

Describe role of noradrenaline:

A

Dilates pupils in eyes

Vasoconstriction of vessels to non-essential organs

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16
Q

What is a coordinated response?

A

Body-wide response, controlled by both nervous + endocrine system

17
Q

What happens when body detects a threatening stimuli in neuronal response ?

A

Activates autonomic NS

Triggers hypothalamus

Activates sympathetic NS

Signals muscles = move

18
Q

What happens when body detects threatening stimuli in hormonal response?

A

Sympathetic NS —> signals adrenal medulla
Release adrenaline + noradrenaline

Hypothalamus release CRF

Stimulates pituitary glands

Release ACTH = signals adrenal cortex

Releases 30 steroid hormones.

Released in bloodstream

18
Q

How is adrenaline involved in cell signalling?

A

Adrenaline = 1st messenger

Binds to inactive adenyl cyclase

Causes conformational change

ATP —> cAMP (2nd messenger)

Bind to other enzyme –> protein kinase
(phosphorylation) = activate other enzymes

Converts glycogen into glucose

19
Q

What does an ‘enzyme cascade effect’ mean?

A

One hormone cause multiple enzymes to be activated for various actions.

20
Q

What are baroreceptors?

A

Detect changes in blood pressure.

Low BP = heart rate increase to prevent fainting.

Present in aorta, vena cava, and carotid arteries.

21
Q

What are chemoreceptors?

A

Detect changes in the level of particular chemicals in the blood (CO2)

Detects pH of blood

Located in aorta, carotid artery (major artery in neck –> supplies the brain with blood), medulla

22
Q

What do the nervous + endocrine system both do?

A

Signal SAN to increase/decrease heart rate

Depends on:
BP
pH of blood
Stress responses

23
Q

How does the adrenal medulla cause increase in heart rate?

A

Release adrenaline/noradrenaline

Bind to SAN
~~>affect frequency of pulses being released

24
Q

How is the medulla oblongata responsible for controlling HR?

A

Baro/chemoreceptors detect BP or pH change

Send impulse to medulla oblongata

25
Q

What happens if there is a detected decrease in BP or pH?

A

Cardiostimulatory centre triggered

~~>sends impulse via accelerator nerve to SAN

~>increase HR

26
Q

What happens if there is a detected increase in BP or pH?

A

Cardioinhibitory centre triggered

~~>sends impulse via vagus nerve to SAN

~>decreases HR

Biology: Module 5 (12 decks)

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