Hypothalamus and pituitary gland 4

Question 1

The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are part of what set of glands?

Answer 1

Endocrine

Question 2

What are the 3 functions of the hypothalamus?

Answer 2

Secretion of regulatory hormones to control activity of anterior pituitary
Control of sympathetic output to adrenal medullae
Production of ADH and oxytocin

Question 3

Where is the pituitary located?

Answer 3

At the bottom of the brain

Question 4

What is the role of the hypophyseal portal system?

Answer 4

Communication from hypothalamus to another anterior pituitary gland

Transports regulatory hormones

Question 5

What does releasing hormone cause (RH)?

Answer 5

Hormone 1 to be released from the anterior pituitary.
Hormone 1 causes Hormone 2 to be released from target endocrine organ. Hormone 2 inhibits release of RH and Hormone 1. Hormone 2 effects target cells

Question 6

What is the role of tropic hormones?

Answer 6

Regulates function of endocrine cells

Question 7

Name the 4 tropic hormones

Answer 7

TSH (thread stimulating hormone)
ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone )
FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone)
LH (Luteinising hormone )

Question 8

Where are the tropic hormones released from?

Answer 8

Anterior pituitary

Question 9

What is the role of melanocyte stimulating hormone?

Answer 9

Regulates pigment containing cells

Amphibians, fish, replies and some mammals

Question 10

What are the features of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)?

Answer 10

It’s a glycoprotein
Controls release of TSH
Stimulates release of T3 and T4

Question 11

What are the features of ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone)?

Answer 11

Peptide
CRH causes ACTH release from
anterior pituitary
Stimulates adrenal cortex
to release glucocorticoids

Question 12

What are the features of FSH and LH?

Answer 12

Glycoproteins
Controlled by GnRH
Promote sperm and egg production and secrete sex steroids

Question 13

What are the features of prolactin?

Answer 13

Peptide
Stimulated by prolactin releasing factor (PRF)
Inhibited by prolactin inhibiting hormone (PIH)
Stimulates milk production

Question 14

What are features of growth hormone (GH)?

Answer 14

Peptide
Stimulated by GHRH
Inhibited by GHIH
Stimulates somatomedin (IGF insulin like growth factor)
Stimulates bone and cartilage growth, fat and glycogen breakdown and increasing glucose levels

Question 15

Name 3 growth hormone abnormalities

Answer 15

Pituitary Gigantism
Acromegaly
Pituitary growth failure

Question 16

What is pituitary gigantism?

Answer 16

Excess GH before puberty

Question 17

What is acromegaly?

Answer 17

Excess GH after puberty where bones of hands, feet, cheeks and jaws thicken

Question 18

What is pituitary growth failure?

Answer 18

Lack of GH

Question 19

What are 2 hormones of the posterior pituitary?

Answer 19

ADH

Oxytocin

Question 20

Where does ADH target?

Answer 20

Kidney tubules

Question 21

Where does oxytocin target?

Answer 21

Mammary glands and uterine muscles

Question 22

What are the features of oxytocin?

Answer 22

Peptide
Stimulates milk and uterine contractions
targets in the brain influencing behaviour