Lesson 6: The Endocrine System Flashcards
1
Q
The Endocrine System
A
- Messages that travel via hormones, chemicals secreted into the bloodstream by endocrine glands
- Sends messages slowly, tend to be long-lasting signals
- Maintain homeostasis
2
Q
Target Cells
A
- Hormones work by bonding to the receptors on a cell that’s sensitive to the effects of a specific hormone
3
Q
Endocrine Glands
A
- Ductless glands, they excrete hormones into the spaces between cells, and from those spaces these chemical messengers diffuse into the bloodstream and are carried throughout the body by the cardiovascular system
4
Q
Exocrine Glands
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- Have ducts, and they excrete the substances that they produce into those ducts
- Examples are salivary glands, sweat glands, sebaceous glands and mammary glands
5
Q
Hypersecretion
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- Diseases of the endocrine system that results from secretion of too much of one or more hormones
6
Q
Hyposecretion
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- Diseases of the endocrine system that results from secretions of too little of one or more hormones
7
Q
Pituitary Gland
A
- Located within the brain
- Not entirely composed of endocrine tissue; like the brain, it’s nervous tissue as well
- Small size, has a quite significant influence on overall functioning of the body
8
Q
Adenohypophysis
A
- Portion composed of endocrine tissue
- Adeno refers to glandular tissue
9
Q
Neurohypophysis
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- Part made of nervous tissue
- Neuro refers to nervous tissue
10
Q
Pituitary Stalk
A
- Attaches the pituitary gland to the underside of the brain and anchors it to the hypothalamus
11
Q
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
A
- This hormone makes the adrenal cortex increase in size and excrete more cortisol
12
Q
Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
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- In females, this hormone stimulates ovulation, in the male it stimulates testosterone production in the testes
13
Q
Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH)
A
- This hormone stimulates the production of thyroid hormones
14
Q
Growth Hormone (GH)
A
- This hormone stimulates the development of tissue proteins, and the breakdown of fat
- Too much GH can cause high blood glucose levels
- Hypersecretion during development can cause the condition gigantism, involves growth to a gigantic size
- After growth years, excessive GH causes acromegaly, a condition involving overgrowth of bone in the hands, feet, cheeks and jaw
- Hyposecretion can lead to dwarfism, involves growth to a smaller than normal size
15
Q
Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH)
A
- This hormone promotes the development of ova in females, and the production of sperm in males
16
Q
Prolactin (PRL)
A
- This hormone stimulates breast development and milk secretion