Module 5 : Hormonal Communication

Question 1

Secretion is the …

Answer 1

release of chemicals from cells

Question 2

What is an endocrine gland?

Answer 2

a group of cells which are specialised to secrete chemicals (hormones) directly into the bloodstream

Question 3

What does the close proximity of the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus ensure?

Answer 3

this ensures that the nervous and hormonal responses of the body are closely linked and coordinated

Question 4

What are the 6 key endocrine glands in the body?

Answer 4

pituitary gland
thyroid gland
adrenal gland
pancreas (also exocrine)
ovaries
testes

Question 5

Name the 2 hormones secreted by the pituitary gland

What effect do these have on the body? (2 points)

Answer 5

FSH and ADH

stimulates a folical to mature into an egg
controls water potential of the blood

Question 6

What hormone is secreted from the thyroid gland?

What does this hormone regulate

Answer 6

thyroxine

regulates basal metabolic rate

Question 7

What hormone is secreted by the adrenal gland?

What 2 effects does this have on the body?

Answer 7

adrenaline

increases heart rate and breathing rate
induces the fight or flight response

Question 8

What 2 hormones are secreted by the pancreas?
What is the role of these 2 hormones?

Answer 8

insulin and glucagon

to regulate blood glucose concentration

Question 9

What 2 hormones are secreted by the ovaries?
What effects do these have on the body? 2

What effect does progesterone specifically have on the body?

Answer 9

oestrogen and progesterone-they regulate the menstrual cycle and control production of secondary sexual characteristics

progesterone-maintains the uterus lining

Question 10

What hormone is secreted by the testes?
What does this hormone control the production of?

Answer 10

testosterone

sperm

Question 11

Exocrine glands secrete chemicals through …

Answer 11

ducts into organs or directly to the surface of the body

Question 12

Hormones are …

Hormones can be in the form of … (6 things)

Answer 12

chemical messengers that carry information from one part of the body to another

steroids
proteins
glycoproteins
polypeptides
amines
tyrosine derivatives

Question 13

Can steroidal hormones pass through a membrane?

Where is the location of the specific receptors that they bind to?
Give an example of a steroidal hormone

Answer 13

yes they can

on DNA
oestrogen

Question 14

Can non-steroidal hormones pass through a membrane?

Where is the location of their receptors?
Give an example of a non-steroidal hormone

Answer 14

no

on the cell surface membrane
insulin

Question 15

Describe the transport of hormones , starting with secretion from a gland and ending with production of a response

4 points

Answer 15

1)Hormone secreted directly into the blood when a gland is stimulated
2)Once secreted the hormones are transported in blood plasma all over the body
3)Hormones diffuse out of the blood plasma and bind to specific receptors for that hormone , found on the membranes or cytoplasm of cells in the target organ (target cells)
4)Once bound to receptors , the hormones stimulate target cells to produce a response

Question 16

Make 4 points about the differences between hormonal and neuronal communication

Answer 16

Hormonal -
-communication is by chemicals called hormones
-transmission is by the bloodstream
-transmission usually relatively slow
-hormones travel to all body parts but only target organs respond

Neuronal-
-communication is by nerve impulses
-transmission is by neurones
-transmission is rapid
-nerve impulses travel to specific parts of the body

Question 17

Make 4 more points about the differences between hormonal and neuronal communication

Answer 17

Hormonal-
-response is widespread
-response is slow
-response is long lasting
-effect may be permanent or irreversible

Neuronal-
-response is localised
-response is rapid
-response is short lived
-effect is temporary and reversible

Question 18

Where are the adrenal glands located?

What 2 distinct parts are the adrenal glands made up of and what are these parts surrounded by ?

Answer 18

on top of each kidney

made up of the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla
both surrounded by a capsule

Question 19

Name the 3 main types of hormone produced by the adrenal cortex

Answer 19

glucocorticoids

mineralcorticoids

androgens

Question 20

Give 2 examples of glucocorticoids and describe their functions

Which part of the brain controls the release of these hormones?

Answer 20

cortisol-regulates metabolism , blood pressure and cardiovascular function in response to stress

corticosterone-works with cortisol to regulate immune response and suppress inflammatory reactions

the hypothalamus

Question 21

Name and describe the function of the main mineralcorticoid hormone

Its release is mediated by …

Answer 21

aldosterone-controls blood pressure by maintaining balance between salt and water concentrations in blood and body fluids

signals triggered in the kidney

Question 22

When are the hormones of the adrenal medulla released?

Name the 2 hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla and describe their functions

Answer 22

when the sympathetic nervous system is stimulated

adrenaline-increases HR so blood is sent quickly to muscles and the brain , also rapidly raises blood glucose concentration

noradrenaline-works with adrenaline in response to stress by widening pupils , air passages in the lungs etc

Question 23

How does adrenaline increase blood glucose concentration?

Answer 23

by converting glycogen into glucose in the liver