Intro to endocrinology

Question 1

What is endocrinology?

Answer 1

The study of endocrine glands (tissues) and the substances they secrete (hormones)

Question 2

What is an endocrine gland?

Answer 2

A gland that makes and secretes hormones into the bloodstream, through which they then travel to affect distant targets.

Question 3

What is a hormone?

Answer 3

A chemical substance produced by cells and released into the blood, having a specific effect on cells or organs usually at a distance from the place of origin.

Question 4

What is an exocrine gland?

Answer 4

A gland that secretes it’s products through ducts opening onto an epithelium rather than directly into the blood.

Question 5

Define paracrine

Answer 5

Substance secreted by a cell and acting on surface receptors of on adjacent cells (local)

Question 6

Define autocrine

Answer 6

Substance secreted by a cell and acting on surface receptors on the same cell

Question 7

What are the categories of chemical messengers?

Answer 7

Neurotransmitters
Neuroendocrine hormones
Endocrine hormones
Cytokines

Question 8

What are the main endocrine organs?

Answer 8

Hypothalamus/ Pituitary 
Thyroid 
Pancreas
Kidneys/ Adrenal glands 
Testes/ Ovaries

Question 9

What are the major molecular types of hormones?

Answer 9

Polypeptides
Modified amino acids
Steroids