Intro to Endocrinology

Question 1

differentiate between autocrine, paracrine and endocrine chemical messengers.

Answer 1

autocrine signals: affect the cell that released them
paracrine: affect adjacent cells
endocrine: affect far away cells

Question 2

list traits of amino acid based hormones.

Answer 2

hydrophilic, can’t cross plasma membrane, affect existing processes, bind to surface receptors, generate intracellular or second messenger

Question 3

list traits of steroid based hormones.

Answer 3

hydrophobic, long half-life, cross plasma membrane, bind to nuclear or cytoplasmic receptors, made from cholesterol and specific enzymes, regulate gene transcription

Question 4

describe humoral stimuli of hormone production

Answer 4

changes in ion and nutrient levels in blood directly stimulates secretion of hormones

Question 5

describe neural stimuli of hormone production

Answer 5

nerve fibres stimulate hormone release

Question 6

describe hormonal stimuli or hormone release

Answer 6

hormones stimulate other endocrine organs to release hormones

Question 7

list overall functions of endocrine system

Answer 7

growth and development, metabolism, H2O and electrolyte balance, adaptive changes, RBC production, digestion and absorption, reproduction, mobilization of body defences

Question 8

list the factors used to classify hormones

Answer 8

solubility, structure and binding of receptor type