hormonal comunication Flashcards
define target cells
for non steroid hormones , cells that possess a specific receptors on their plasma membrane. the shape of the receptor is complementary to the shape of the hormone molecule, many similar cells together from a target tissue
define hormone
molecules ( protein or steroid ) that are released by endocrine glands directly into the blood. they act as messengers, carrying a signal from the endocrine gland to a specific target or organ tissue
what are the two types of hormones
protein and steroids
examples of proteins
adrenaline , insulin, glucagon
examples of steroids
oestrogen, testosterone
describe how proteins work
are not soluble in the phospholipid membrane and do not enter the cell. protein hormones need to bind to the cell surface membrane and release a second messenger inside the cell
bind to receptor
describe how steroids work
can pass through the membrane and enters the cell and the nucleus , to have a direct effect on the DNA in the nucleus
soluble - diffuse
define endocrine glands
hormones are released directly into the blood from endocrine glands , directly into the blood
define exocrine glands
along a duct not directly into blood stream, no hormones
describe first and second messengers process
non steroid hormones are known as first messengers . they are signalling molecules outside the cell that bind to the cell surface membrane and initiate an effect inside the cell. they usually cause the release of another signalling molecule in the cell, which is called the second messenger . the second messenger stimulates a change in the activity of the cell
many non steroid hormones act via a g protein in the membrane . the g protein is activated when the hormone binds to the receptor . the g protein in turn activates an effector molecule , usually an enzyme that converts an inactive molecule into the active second messenger . in many cells the effector molecule is the enzyme adenyl cyclase , which converts ATP to cyclic AMP ( cAMP) . cAMP is the second messenger, this second messenger may act directly on another protein or it may initiate a cascade of enzyme controlled reactions
define the adrenal cortex
the outermost layer of the adrenal glands
define adrenal gland
one of a pair of glands lying above the kidneys , which release adrenaline and a number of other hormones known as corticoids such as aldosterone
define adrenal medulla
the innermost layer of the adrenal glands
define adrenaline
a hormone released from the adrenal glands into the blood , which stimulates the body to prepare for flight or fight
what are the three parts of the adrenal cortex
zona glomerulosa
zona fasciculata
zona reticularis
describe the zona glomerulosa
the outermost layer , which secretes mineralocorticoids such as aldosterone
mineralocorticoids , role in the body
helps to control the concentrations of sodium and potassium in the blood. as a result they contribute to maintaining blood pressure. aldosterone acts on the cells of the distal tubules and collecting ducts in the kidney . it increases absorption of sodium ions, decreases absorption of potassium ions, and increases water retention so increasing blood pressure
describe the zona fasciculata
the middle layer , which secretes glucocorticoids such as cortisol
glucocorticoids role in the body
helps to control the metabolism of carbohydrates , fats and proteins in the liver . cortisol is released in response to stress or as a result of low blood glucose concentration . it stimulates the production of glucose from stored compounds in the liver
describe the zona reticularis
the innermost layer, which is thought to secrete precursor molecules that are used to make sex hormones
describe cortisol and the roles in the body released by the zona reticularis
cortisol may also be released, however if the correct enzymes are not present for the release of cortisol , then it will release precursor androgens into the blood. these are taken up by the ovaries or testes and converted to sex hormones . the sex hormone development of the secondary sexual characteristics and regulate the production of gametes
describe the action of steroid hormones
- the steroid hormone passes through the cell membrane of the target cell
- the steroid hormone binds with a specific receptor (with a complementary shape) in the cytoplasm
- the receptor steroid hormone complex enters the nucleus of the target cell and binds to another specific receptor on the chromosomal material
- binding stimulates the production of messenger RNA molecules , which code for the production of proteins