L6 The Endocrine System Flashcards

1
Q

What is the definition of a hormone?

A

Signalling molecules/mediators secreted from endocrine cells into the bloodstream

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2
Q

What are the 7 classic endocrine glands?

A
  • Pituitary (anterior and posterior)
  • Thyroid
  • Parathyroids
  • Adrenals (cortex and medulla)
  • Ovaries
  • Testes
  • Endocrine pancreas
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3
Q

Can you name 6 endocrine tissues?

A
  • Hypothalamus
  • Kidneys
  • GI tract
  • Heart
  • Liver
  • Adipose tissue
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4
Q

Name the three main chemical classes of hormones.

A
  • Peptide
  • Amino acid derived
  • Steroids
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5
Q

How do peptide hormones differ in synthesis from steroid hormones?

A

Peptide hormones are synthesized from amino acids, while steroid hormones are metabolites of cholesterol.

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6
Q

How do steroid hormones differ in which receptors it would bind to?

A

Steriod hormones would diffuse into cells and then bind to the intracellular/ nuclear receptors whereas the other two types of hormones would bind to the cell membrane on the surface receptors

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7
Q

What are the response times in the 3 different classes of hormones?

A

Peptide - Seconds to minutes
Amino acid derived - Seconds to minutes
Steriods - Hours to days

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8
Q

What is the release mechanism for steroid hormones?

A

Lipid soluble, they diffuse into cells and bind to intracellular/nuclear receptors.

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9
Q

What is a key characteristic of endocrine glands?

A

They do not have ducts.

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10
Q

Fill in the blank: Endocrine signaling enables cell signaling across _______ distances.

A

long

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11
Q

True or False: Endocrine signaling is fast.

A

False

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12
Q

What regulates the release of parathyroid hormone (PTH)?

A

Plasma calcium levels sensed by Chief cells

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13
Q

What does the parathyroid gland do?

A

They are responsible for regulating calcium levels in the blood. They produce PTH which helps maintain Ca2+ levels

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14
Q

How does the parathryoid gland lower calcium levels?

A
  • Increased calcium conc sensed by chief cells
  • PTH release ⬇️
  • Kidney tubule reabsorption ⬇️
  • Bone calcium resorption ⬇️
  • Intestinal calcium absorption ⬇️
  • Resulting in lowering plasma calcium conc
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15
Q

Describe the role of the hypothalamus in endocrine control.

A

Regulates the anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis) through releasing hormones and the posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis).

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16
Q

What hormones do the adrenal cortex release?

A
  • Glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol)
  • Mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone)
17
Q

The adrenal gland is seperated into two parts. What are they?

A

Adrenal cortex
Adrenal Medulla

18
Q

What is the primary function of insulin?

A

Decrease blood glucose levels by increasing glucose storage in muscle and decreasing glucose synthesis in the liver.

19
Q

What type of feedback loop regulates parathyroid hormone (PTH)?

A

Simple negative feedback loop

20
Q

Fill in the blank: The anterior lobe of the pituitary is also known as the _______.

A

adenohypophysis

21
Q

What is the function of the Leydig cells in the testes?

A

Produce the steroid hormone testosterone, stimulating protein synthesis and development.

22
Q

What do the adrenal medulla chromaffin cells release?

A

Catecholamines, including adrenaline and noradrenaline.

23
Q

How does the thyroid gland regulate metabolism?

A

Through T3 and T4 hormones, which bind to nuclear receptors to regulate transcription.

24
Q

What two things does the thyroid gland regulate?

A

Metabolism - basal metabolic rate
Development and growth

25
Q

True or False: Hormones can interact with specific tissues/organs.

A

False

They are specific to receptors but not specific to tissues/organs

26
Q

What is the role of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas?

A

Release insulin from β cells and glucagon from α cells into portal blood.

27
Q

Which hormone is produced by the ovaries?

A

Oestrogen and Progesterone

28
Q

What influences the synthesis and release of thyroid hormones?

A

Hypothalamic-pituitary hormones and iodine

29
Q

What is the mechanism of action for peptide and amino acid-derived hormones?

A

Bind to cell membrane surface receptors.

30
Q

Define endocrine gland

A

A ductless organ that produces hormones and releases them directly into the bloodstream

31
Q

Define endocrine cells

A

A specialised tissue that produces hormones and releases them into the bloodstream

32
Q

Where are endocrine cells generally located?

A
  • Close proximity to capillary beds
  • Found in endocrine tissues or glands
33
Q

What is the adenohypophysis?

A

The front lobe (anterior lobe) of the pituitary gland

Develops from an upward projection of the pharynx

34
Q

What is the neurohypophysis?

A

Also known aas the posterior pituitary, it is the back lobe of the pituitary gland

Develops from a downward projection of the brain

35
Q

How does the hypothalamus control the function of the anterior pituitary gland?

A

The adenohypophysis is controlled by the hypthalamus through the release of hormones into the hypophyseal portal system. These hormones, produced by the hypothalamic neurons, stimulate or inhibit the activity of the troph cells, thereby regulating their hormone secretion

36
Q

How does the hypothalamus control the function of the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland?

A

It releases hormones from** large diameter neurons** directly into the systemic cirulcation

37
Q

What two ways can hormonal release can be regulated by?

A

-Simple negative feedback loops e.g PTH
- Hierarchical control: cortical control, inhibition of releasing hormone release, inhibition of tropic hormones release

38
Q

Give me examples of simple negative feedback loops in hormone release

A
  • Blood glucose regulation (insulin and glucagon)
  • Thyroid hormone regulation (T3 and T4)
  • Calcium regulation (PTH)