Module 5.1.4 - Hormonal communication

Question 1

What are features of the hormonal system?

Answer 1

• transmission in blood
• slow transmission
• widespread response
• long lasting response
• may be permanent
• slow responses

Question 2

What does the endocrine system do?

Answer 2

Reacts to change and uses hormones to bring about a response

Question 3

What are the 2 hormone types?

Answer 3

Steroid hormones
Non-steroid hormones

Question 4

What are steroid hormones?

Answer 4

Lipid soluble, pass through lipid soluble component of cell membrane and bind to receptors in cytoplasm or nucleus

Question 5

What are non-steroid hormones?

Answer 5

Hydrophilic, cant pass directly through cell membrane, must bind to receptors on cell surface membrane instead

Question 6

What are the adrenal glands?

Answer 6

2 small glands on top of each kidney, stress glands

Question 7

What are the inside/outside tissues of adrenal glands made of?

Answer 7

Outside - gland tissue
Inside - nerve tissue

Question 8

What is the inside and outside of the adrenal glands called?

Answer 8

Outside - cortex
Inside - medulla

Question 9

What neurotransmitters does the medulla produce?

Answer 9

• adrenaline
• noradrenaline

Question 10

What hormones does the cortex produce?

Answer 10

Androgens - sex hormone, makes oestrogen, particularly post menopause
Mineralocorticoids - aldosterone, regulates blood pressure and osmotic balance
Glucocorticoids - cortisol, regulates metabolic rate

Question 11

What does the cortex secrete?

Answer 11

Steroid functions

Question 12

What does the medulla secrete?

Answer 12

Neural function

Question 13

Where is the pancreas found?

Answer 13

Behind stomach and in upper abdomen

Question 13

What are parts of the pancreas?

Answer 13

Gallbladder, body, head, tail, duodenum

Question 14

What does exocrine mean?

Answer 14

Releases enzymes into duodenum, such as lipase, amylase, protease
Gland has ducts to allow cells to secrete their products onto surface of target cells

Question 15

What does endocrine mean?

Answer 15

Insulin and glucagon, produce chemicals (hormones) that regulate blood sugar
Glands don’t have duct system and releases products into bloodstream

Question 16

What are Islets of Langerhans?

Answer 16

• small regions of endocrine tissue responsible for producing insulin and glucagon, lightly stained, larger spherical clusters
• alpha cells produce and secrete glucagon
• beta cells produce and secrete insulin

Question 17

What happens when staining Islets of Langerhans?

Answer 17

• use differential staining technique
• beta cell stained blue
• alpha cells stained pink

Question 18

What is glycogenesis?

Answer 18

Glucose -> glycogen

Question 19

What is glycogenolysis?

Answer 19

Glycogen -> glucose

Question 20

What is gluconeogenesis?

Answer 20

Amino acids - > glucose

Question 21

How do high blood glucose levels go back to normal?

Answer 21

• increase is detected by beta cells in pancreas
• insulin is produced which increases respiration
• glucose is converted to glycogen and fats
• glucose is absorbed
• blood glucose levels fall back to normal

Question 22

What is the normal blood glucose level?

Answer 22

90mg 100cm-3

Question 22

How do low blood glucose levels go back to normal?

Answer 22

• fall detected by alpha cells in pancreas
• glucagon produced
• glycogen and amino acids converted into glucose
• uncontrolled quantity of glucose enters from intestine

Question 23

Why does diabetes happen?

Answer 23

Pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body can’t effectively respond to insulin produced

Question 24

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Answer 24

• high glucose conc
• glucose in urine
• excessive need to urinate
• excessive thirst
• constant hunger
• weight loss
• blurred vision
• tiredness

Question 25

Why is human insulin used?

Answer 25

Pure form, less likely to cause allergic reactions, high quantities produced, cheaper, no religious/ethical concerns over animal products

Question 26

What is type 1 diabetes?

Answer 26

Autoimmune disease where body attacks beta cells in pancreas
- no insulin produced as a result

Question 27

What is type 2 diabetes?

Answer 27

Condition based on lifestyle/diet
- beta cells in pancreas don’t produce enough insulin or not sensitive to insulin
- glycoprotein insulin receptor malfunctioning
- overweight
- high carb diet

Question 28

What are some treatments for type 1 diabetes?

Answer 28

• insulin pump/injections
• pancreas transplant
• stem cell therapy
• glucose drinks/sweets
• balanced diet

Question 29

What are some treatments for type 2 diabetes?

Answer 29

• exercise
• drugs
• insulin injections
• regular carb intake