Hormones and Drugs Flashcards
What is the endocrine system?
A system that consists of a series of glands that function individually or conjointly to integrate and control metabolic activities in the body.
What do the glands in the endocrine system release?
Chemical messengers called hormones.
What can affect the whole endocrine system?
Over or under activity of any gland.
What is a target cell?
A cell that has receptors for a specific hormone and can respond to it.
How do exocrine glands secrete their products?
Exocrine glands secrete their products into the ducts that carry these product to other organs or outside the body.
How do endocrine glands secrete their products?
Endocrine glands secrete products directly into the blood stream.
What are hormones?
Chemical signals that promote communication between parts of the body.
What are pheromones?
Pheromones are chemical signals that influence the behaviour of other individuals.
What are examples of peptide hormones?
- Insulin.
- Growth hormones.
- Endorphins.
What are peptide hormones?
They are made by DNA and bind to receptors on the cell membrane, generating a second messenger that affects the cells physiology.
What are examples of steroid hormones?
- Testosterone.
- Cortisol.
What are steroid hormones?
They act on cells DNA to increase or decrease the production of proteins.
What do adrenal glands regulate and what are they responsible for?
- They regulate carbohydrate, water and electrolyte levels.
- They are responsible for reproduction and secondary sexual characteristics.
What hormones do adrenal glands secrete?
- Cortisol.
- Adrenaline.
- Noradrenaline.
What do ovaries regulate?
They regulate the female reproductive system.
What hormones do ovaries secrete?
- Oestrogen (regulates menstrual cycle).
- Progesterone (Prepares women for conditions of pregnancy).
What do testes regulate?
The male reproductive system.
What hormone does the testes secrete?
Testosterone (promotes sperm production).
What does the pancreas regulate?
Blood sugar levels.
What hormones do the pancreas secrete?
- Glucagon (stimulates the liver to release glucose into the blood).
- Insulin (Regulates and promotes entry of glucose into the cells).
What do the parathyroid glands regulate?
The amount of calcium in the blood.
What do the thyroid glands regulate?
Metabolic rate.
What hormones do the thyroid glands secrete?
- Thyroxine.
- Triiodothyronine.
What hormones do the parathyroid glands secrete?
Parathyroid hormone.
What do the pineal glands regulate?
Circadian rhythm.
What hormones do the pineal glands secrete?
Melatonin.
What is melatonin?
A hormone that helps regulate sleep and the body’s circadian rhythm.
What do the pituitary glands regulate?
- Function of the adrenal cortex.
- Function of male and female gonads.
- Milk production.
- Function of the thyroid gland.
What does the thymus gland promote?
The development of cells in the immune system.
What hormones does the thymus gland secrete?
- Thymulin.
- Insulin.
- Melatonin.
What is endocrinology?
A branch of medicine concerned with the diagnoses and treatment of diseases that affect your glands and hormone levels.
What are examples of endocrine disorders?
- Adrenal disorders.
- Diabetes.
- Lipid disorders.
- Osteoporosis.
- Pituitary disorders.
- Parathyroid and calcium disorders.
- PCOS.
- Infertility.
- Thyroid disorders.
What are homeostatic hormones?
Hormones that maintain a state of internal metabolic balance and regulate physiological systems in an organ.
What do gonadal hormones control?
Reproductive function.
What are psychoactive drugs?
Substances that act to alter mood, thought, or behaviour and that are used to manage neuropsychological illness.
What is a drug?
A chemical compound that is administered to bring about some desired change in the body.
Examples of psychoactive drugs.
CNS stimulants:
- Cocaine.
- Caffeine.
CNS depressants:
- Alcohol.
Antipsychotics:
- Chlorpromazine.
