Module #1: Intro to the Endocrine System Flashcards
What are the primary organs of the endocrine system?
Hypothalamus
Pituitary gland (hypophysis)
Thyroid gland
Parathyroid gland
Adrenal glands
Pancreras (islets cells) aka endocrine pancreas
Gonads
Placenta
Hormones/hormone-like substances produced in other organs (heart/kidney/GI tract)
What is the main purpose of the endocrine system?
coordinate and integrate cellular activity throughout the body to maintain homeostasis
How does the endocrine system coordinate/integrate cellular activites?
Chemical messengers (hormones); uses circulatory pathways
What are the 4 functions of the endocrine system?
Homeostasis (maintenance of the internal environment)
Control of storage and utilization of energy substrates
Regulation of growth, development, and reproduction
Regulate the body’s response to environmental stimuli
Compared to the nervous system, what are the actions of the endocrine system?
slower in response
but more prolonged response
“more diffuse”
What are the 3 main components of the endocrine system?
Endocrine glands
Target Organs
Hormones
What are endocrine glands?
ductless glands that secrete hormones into the blood stream
What are target organs?
organ that contains cells w/ receptors that have hormone specific receptors
What are hormones?
Chemical messengers released by one cell and exert a biological action on a target cell/tissue/organ
classical definition refers to those that are transported via bloodstream
Where do hormones bind and what do they do?
specific receptors of target tissues
mediate some function
Can a single hormone facilitate multiple effects?
Yes, can bind to different target tissues
different receptors mediate different responses
What are the different responses that can be mediated by epinephrine?
Alpha Receptors: BV of intestines = constriction
Beta receptors: BV of skeletal muscle = dilation; Liver = glycolysis
Can a single physiological function be regulated by the sum of multiple hormones?
Yes
BP influenced by ADH/aldosterone/epinephrine
What are the 4 types of hormone signaling?
Endocrine
Paracrine
Autocrine
Intracrine
In endocrine signaling where are the target tissues, and how do the hormones reach the target tissues?
Target tissues = distant from where hormone release
hormones travel through blood stream to reach target tissue
In paracrine signaling where are the target tissues and how do the hormones reach the target tissue?
target tissues = local or immediate near cells that release hormone
hormone released by one cell acts locally on nearby cell
What are some examples of paracrine signaling?
Nitric Oxide
Bradykinin
Neurotransmitters
Cytokines
Prostoglandins
What does Nitric Oxide do?
promotes BV vasodilation
What does bradykinin do?
promote BV vasodilation
part of inflammatory/immune cascade
What are 2 examples of paracrine neurotransmitters?
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine
What are cytokines and what do they do?
small proteins (act as signaling molecules)
involved in immunoregulation and growth function
What are some examples of cytokines?
interleukins = IL2, IL4, etc
TNF = tumor necrosis factor
IF = interferon
Growth Factors = bone morphic factor, TGF - transforming growth factors
What are prostoglandins and how are they produced?
fatty acids produced in most organs
What do prostoglandins do?
Numerous Functions:
Smooth muscle: contract/relax (depending on receptor)
inflammatory response throughout tissues of body
pain: hyperalgesia - sensitize neurons in spinal cord
kidney: mesangial cells (contract) after GFR
hypothalamus: thermoregulatory nuclei - produce fever
mediate platelet aggegation/disaggregation