Key Hormones Flashcards
What is homeostasis?
The process your body uses to keep its internal conditions stable, even when the environment around you changes.
It functions like a thermostat, regulating temperature, water levels, and blood sugar to ensure proper cell function.
How does the body respond when it gets too hot?
By cooling down through sweating.
This helps to lower the body temperature back to a normal level.
What action does the body take when it gets too cold?
It shivers to warm up.
Shivering generates heat through muscle activity.
What role does insulin play in homeostasis?
Lowers blood glucose levels by helping cells take in glucose and storing excess as glycogen in the liver.
Insulin is produced by the pancreas.
What is the function of glucagon?
Raises blood glucose levels by triggering the breakdown of glycogen into glucose in the liver.
Glucagon is also produced by the pancreas.
What does adrenaline do in the body?
Prepares the body for ‘fight or flight’ by increasing heart rate, redirecting blood to muscles, and releasing glucose into the blood for energy.
It is produced by the adrenal glands.
What is the source of thyroxine?
Thyroid gland (in the neck).
Thyroxine regulates metabolism, growth, and development.
What role does testosterone play in the male body?
Controls male puberty, including growth of facial hair, voice deepening, and sperm production.
Testosterone is produced by the testes.
What is the primary function of estrogen?
Controls female puberty, regulates the menstrual cycle, and thickens the uterus lining for pregnancy.
Estrogen is produced by the ovaries.
What does progesterone do?
Maintains the uterus lining during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Progesterone is produced by the ovaries.
What is the role of Anti-Diuretic Hormone (ADH)?
Regulates water balance by controlling how much water is reabsorbed by the kidneys.
ADH is produced by the pituitary gland.
What does Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) stimulate?
Stimulates egg maturation in ovaries and sperm production in testes.
FSH is produced by the pituitary gland.
What triggers ovulation in females?
Luteinising Hormone (LH).
LH is produced by the pituitary gland.
