Neurohormones Flashcards
How are neurohormones released?
→ DIrectly in the blood circulation
What is point to point communication like?
→ Fast and restricted
What are the secretory hypothalamus neurons like?
→ Slow but widespread
What are networks of interconnected neurons of the autonomic nervous system like?
→ Fast
→ widespread influence
What are diffuse modulatory systems like?
→ Slower and widespread
What are the 4 characteristics of the endocrine system?
→ Mediators travel within blood vessels
→ utilises chemical mediators
→ slow communication
→ long lasting effects
What are the 4 characteristics of the nervous system?
→ Signalling along nerve fibres
→ Transmission of electrical impulses
→ fast communication
→effects are short acting
What are neurohormones produced by?
→ specialised nerve cells called neurosecretory cells
What can neurohormones act like?
→ Neurotransmitters
→ autocrine or paracrine messengers
What are the 3 types of hormones?
→ Protein and peptide
→ amino acid derivatives
→ steroid hormones
What are the 4 features of protein and peptide hormones?
→ Vary considerably in size
→ Can be synthesised as large precursors prior to secretion
→ post translationally modified
→ can have multiple subunits synthesized independently and assembled
What are 2 features of amino acid derivative neurohormones?
→ Mostly tyrosine derived
→ Neurotransmitter that can also act as a hormon
What are 3 examples of amino acid derivative neurohormones?
→ adrenaline
→ noradrenaline
→ dopamine
Where are steroid hormones derived from?
→ Class of lipids derived from cholesterol
What are 5 examples of steroid neurohormones?
→ Cortisol → Aldosterone → testosterone → progesterone → estradiol
What is the base of the brain called?
→ Hypothalamus
What is the hypothalamus connected to?
→ pituitary
Where do magnocellular neurons project to?
→ posterior pituitary
What hormones are secreted from the posterior pituitary?
→ Vasopressin
→ oxytocin
Where are neurohormones released in the anterior pituitary?
→ Portal system
What time frame are circadian rhythms?
→ 24 hour cycle
What time frame are pulsatile rhythms?
→ less than 24 hours
What time frame are infradian rhythms?
→ longer than 24 hours
What is an example of hormones that follow the circadian cycle?
→ Cortisol
→ GH
→ PRL
What is an example of a hormone that follows pulsatile cycles?
→ Gonadotrophins
What is an example of an infradian rhythm?
→ Menstrual cycle