L4 - Endocrine System

Question 1

Endocrine system

Answer 1

• provides a chemical system of communication in the body via the blood stream
• have endocrine glands that produce + secrete hormones into blood stream = regulate many bodily functions

Question 2

Endocrine glands

Answer 2

• endocrine glands produce + secrete hormones into the blood stream = regulate many bodily functions

Major endocrine glands of endocrine system:

• pituitary gland
• adrenal gland

Question 3

Hormones

Answer 3

• hormones come into contact with most cells in the boy but only affect limited number of cells = target cells

Question 4

Target cells

Answer 4

• limited number of cells that are affected by hormones
• respond to a particular hormone cus they have receptors for that hormone
• when enough receptor sites are stimulated by that hormone = physiological reaction

Question 5

Pituitary gland

Answer 5

• located in the brain
• controlled by the hypothalamus (above the pituitary gland)
• produces hormones whose primary function is to influence the release of other hormones from other glands

Question 6

How does pituitary gland work?

Answer 6

• hypothalamus receives info about basic functions of body (from many sources)
• hypothalamus sends signal to the pituitary gland in form of a releasing hormone
• causes pituitary gland to send a stimulating hormone into the bloodstream
• tells target gland to release its hormone
• as levels of this hormone rise in the bloodstream, hypothalamus shuts down production of the releasing hormone
• so pituitary gland shuts down secretion of the simulating hormone

Question 7

Two divisions of pituitary gland

Answer 7

• anterior pituitary gland

- posterior pituitary gland

Question 8

Anterior pituitary gland

Answer 8

• releases hormone called ACTH = regulates levels of the hormone cortisol

Question 9

Posterior pituitary gland

Answer 9

• releases hormone oxytocin = crucial for infant/mother bonding

Question 10

Two adrenal glands

Answer 10

situated on top of kidneys:

• adrenal cortex
• adrenal medulla

Question 11

Adrenal cortex

Answer 11

• outer section of adrenal gland
• produces hormone cortisol (high amounts produced when someone is experiencing chronic stress)
• cortisol also responsible for cardiovascular system e.g. increase BP, cause blood vessels to constrict

Question 12

Adrenal medulla

Answer 12

• inner section of adrenal gland
• produces adrenaline = needed for fight or flight response (someone is acutely stressed)
• adrenaline increases HR, dilates pupils + stops digestion