Module 09: Endocrine System Flashcards
This system is composed of endocrine glands and specialized endocrine cells located throughout the body.
Endocrine System
Endocrine glands and cells secrete very small amounts of chemical messengers called ____________into the extracellular fluid. These diffuse into the blood to be transported to their target. They also circulate through the bloodstream to specific sites called target tissues or effectors. At their target tissues, they stimulate a specific response.
Hormones
These are the specific sites in the bloodstream where the hormones circulate and stimulate their specific response.
Target Tissues
Where is the term endocrine derived from?
derived from the Greek words endo, meaning “within,” and krino, “to secrete”-appropriately describes this system.
What makes exocrine glands different from endocrine glands?
Exocrine glands have ducts that carry their secretions to the out- side of the body, or into a hollow organ, such as the stomach or intestines. Examples of exocrine secretions are saliva, sweat, breast milk, and digestive enzymes.
This is where coordination to maintain the body’s homeostasis occurs. These allow cells to communicate with each other to regulate body activities.
Chemical Messengers
What are the four (4) chemical messengers in the endocrine system?
(1) Autocrine chemical messengers
(2) Paracrine chemical messengers
(3) Neurotransmitters
(4) Endocrine chemical messengers
This chemical messenger stimulates the cell that originally secreted it. Good examples of these chemical messengers are those secreted by white blood cells during an infection that have the capacity to replicate.
Autocrine chemical messengers
These chemical messengers are secreted by cells in a local area, which influences the activity of the same cell or cell type from which it was secreted.
Autocrine chemical messengers
What are some examples of Autocrine chemical messengers?
(1) Eicosanoids (prostaglandins, thromboxane, prostacyclin, and leukotrienes)
These chemical messengers act locally on neighboring cells. These chemical messengers are secreted by one cell type into the extracellular fluid and affect surrounding cells.
Paracrine chemical messengers
These chemical messengers are produced by a wide variety of tissues and secreted into extracellular fluid; has a localized effect on other tissues
Paracrine chemical messengers
What are some examples of Paracrine chemical messengers?
Somatostatin, histamine, eicosanoids
These stimulates vasodilation in nearby blood vessels.
Histamine
These chemical messengers are secreted by neurons that activate an adjacent cell, whether it is another neuron, a muscle cell, or a glandular cell. These are secreted into a synaptic cleft, rather than into the bloodstream
Neurotransmitters (neurotransmitters are paracrine chemical messengers)
These chemical messengers are produced by neurons; secreted into a synaptic cleft by presynaptic nerve terminals; travels short distances; influences postsynaptic cells
Neurotransmitters
What are some examples of neurotransmitters?
Acetylcholine, epinephrine
These chemical messengers are secreted into the bloodstream by certain glands and cells, which together constitute the endocrine system. These chemical messengers travel through the blood to their target cells.bo
Endocrine chemical messengers
These chemical messengers are secreted into the blood by specialized cells; travels some distance to target tissues; results in coordinated regulation of cell function
Endocrine chemical messengers
What are some examples of Endocrine chemical messengers?
Thyroid hormones, growth hormone, insulin, epinephrine, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, prostaglandins
What is the function of hormones’?
Hormones of the endocrine system are secreted in response to humoral, neural, or hormonal stimuli to regulate homeostasis.
What are the main regulatory functions of the endocrine system?
(1) Regulation of metabolism.
(2) Control of food intake and digestion.
(3) Modulation of tissue development
(4) Regulation of ion levels.
(5) Control of water balance
(6) Regulation of cardiovascular functions.
(7) Control of blood glucose and other nutrients.
(8) Control of reproductive functions.
(9) Stimulation of uterine contractions and milk release.
(10) Modulation of immune system function.
This function of the endocrine system pertains to the act of controlling the rate of nutrient utilization and energy production.
Regulation of metabolism.
This function of the endocrine system pertains to the act of regulating the level of satiation (fullness) and the breakdown of food into individual nutrients.
Control of food intake and digestion.