Hormone Transport and Kinetics

Question 1

• What are the two major communication systems within the body?

Answer 1

Endocrine (hormones) & nervous

Question 2

• What are the four organ-endocrine glands?

Answer 2

Heart (ANP), intestine (gastrin), kidneys (erythropoietin), placenta (chorionic gonadotrophins)

Question 3

• What are the four defining characteristics of hormones?

Answer 3

Chemical agents, synthesised and secreted by glands, circulate in blood to other parts of the body, stimulate specific tissues

Question 4

• What are the three hormone classification groups by function?

Answer 4

Classical (genuine) hormones (cortisol), neurohormones (CRH), local hormones

Question 5

• What are hormone binding proteins?

Answer 5

Required to transport lipid soluble hormones in the blood (cortisol binding protein, albumin)

Question 6

• What is the difference between bound and free hormones?

Answer 6

Majority of hormones are bound, need to be free to exert effect on target tissue

Question 7

• What are the three functions of transport binding proteins?

Answer 7

Serve as hormone reservoir, act as hormone buffers, reduce hormone loss via the kidneys

Question 8

• What are the three possible elimination methods for hormones?

Answer 8

Enzymatic degradation, within target cells after binding receptor, via liver and kidneys

Question 9

• What type or hormones are resistant to degradation once bound?

Answer 9

Sow action hormones

Question 10

• What happens to the status of the target tissue with over/under stimulation?

Answer 10

Overstimulation – hypertrophy, under stimulation – atrophy

Question 11

• What diagnostic tests can be used to measure hormones?

Answer 11

RIA, ELISA

Question 12

• Why is negative feedback regulation important?

Answer 12

Monitors level of free hormone, prevents hormone reaching excessive levels