Hormonal communication and the adrenal glands

Question 1

What is the endocrine system?

Answer 1

uses hormones to send info about changes in the environment around the body to bring about responce

Question 2

What does the endocrine system consist of?

Answer 2

endocrine glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream

Question 3

What is the role of hormones?

Answer 3

serve as chemical messengers binding to specific receptors on target cells

Question 4

What are target cells?

Answer 4

cells that have specific receptors for a hormone, once the hormone binds to the receptors it stimulates the target cells to produce a responce

Question 5

How do hormones act as chemical messengers?

Answer 5

1) hormones produced by endocrine gland cells

2) when stimulated glands release hormones into the bloodstream

3) blood carries hormones to their target cells

4) they attach to receptors on or in the target cell

5) the cells then respond to thehormones

Question 6

What are non-steroidal hormones?

Answer 6

• water soluble (hydrophilic)
• can’t diffuse across phospholipid bilayer
• bind to receptors on cell surface membrane of their target cells to activate second messengers

Question 7

What are examples of non steroidal hormones?

Answer 7

• adrenaline
• noradrenaline

Question 8

What are steroidal hormones?

Answer 8

• lipid soluble (hydrophobic)
• can diffuse across the phospholipid bilayer
• bind to receptor molecules in the cytoplasm or nucleus, forming a hormone-receptor complex acting as a transcription factor

Question 9

What are examples of steroidal hormones?

Answer 9

• oestrogen

Question 10

What maintains homeostasis?

Answer 10

• endocrine system
• nervous system

Question 11

What are the features of the endocrine system?

Answer 11

• signaled through hormones
• transmission by blood flow
• slow transmission speed
• widespread spread
• long duration of effect

Question 12

What are features of the nervous system?

Answer 12

• signalled through nerve impulses
• transmission by neurons
• rapid transmission speed
• localised spread
• short duration of effect

Question 13

What is the location and structure of the adrenal glands?

Answer 13

• triangular endocrine glands located above each kidney
• consists of 2 main regions surrounded by a capsule

Question 14

What are the 2 main regions of the adrenal glands?

Answer 14

Adrenal cortex = outer region of the glands responsible for producing vital steroid hormones

Adrenal medulla = inner region at the center of the glands known for producing non-steroidal hormones

Question 15

What is the function of glucocorticoids and give an example?

Answer 15

Function = regulate metabolism, controls blood pressure and stress response and suppresses inflammation

E.g = cortisol and corticosterone

Question 16

What is the function of mineralocorticoids and give an example?

Answer 16

Function = maintain blood pressure by balancing salt and water in the blood and body fluids

E.g = aldosterone

Question 17

What is the function of androgens and give an example?

Answer 17

Function = regulation of sexual characteristics and cell growth

E.g testosterone

Question 18

How is the release of hormones from the adrenal cortex regulated?

Answer 18

regulated by chemical signals from the hypothalamus and kidneys

Question 19

What does the adrenal medulla produce and when?

Answer 19

Produces = catecholamines (non steroidal hormones)

When = prepare the body for stressful or dangerous situations when the body’s stimulated by the SNS

Question 20

What are the main affects of adrenaline?

Answer 20

• dilated bronchioles
• increased BR
• increased blood glucose levels
• increased HR and BP increasing blood flow to the muscles and brain

Question 21

What are the main affects of noradrenaline?

Answer 21

• increased HR
• expands air passages
• dilates pupils
• vasoconstriction of non-essential organs