Physiology Flashcards
What does the endocrine system consist of?
Ductless endocrine glands at numerous locations
How is specificity of hormone signalling achieved?
Chemically distinct hormones, specific receptors for each hormone, distinct distribution of receptors across target cells
What are the major endocrine glands?
Pineal, hypothalamus, pituitar, parathyroid, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries in female, placenta in pregnant female, testes in male
What are the overall functions of endocrine system?
Regulation of nutrient metabolism, H20/electrolyte balance, RBC production, enabling change to stress, promoting growth +dev, controlling reproduction, controlling and integrating activities of CV and GI system
What is autocrine signalling?
Cell secretes hormone or messenger that binds to autocrine receptors on same cell
What is paracrine signalling?
Cell secretes hormone or messenger that binds to receptors on nearby cells
What is endocrine signalling?
Cells secrete hormone or messenger that travel to target distant cells through bloodstream usually
What are the 3 main classes of hormones?
Glycoproteins and peptides, steroids, tyrosine and tryptophan derivatives
Describe glycoproteins and peptide hormones
Amino acid chains of varied length. May be simple, can contain disulphide bonds, can be multiple. E.g. oxytocin, insulin
Describe steroid hormones
Derived from cholesterol e.g. cortisol, testosterone
What are some tyrosine and tryptophan derivative hormones?
Adrenaline, thyroid hormones, melatonin
Describe amine synthesis, storage, release and transport
Pre-synthesised, vesicle storage, released in response to stimuli by Ca2+ dependent exocytosis
Are amines hydrophilic or hydrophobic?
Hydrophilic
How are amines transported in plasma?
Mainly ‘free’
Describe peptides and proteins synthesis, storage, release and transport
Pre-synthesised from longer precursor, vesicle storage, released in respose to stimuli by Ca2+ dependent exocytosis
Are peptides hydrophilic or hydrophobic?
Hydrophilic
How are peptides transported in plasma?
Mainly ‘free’
Describe steroid synthesis, storage, release and transport
Synthesised and secreted upon demand. Stimuli increase based on: cellular uptake and availability of cholesterol, rate of conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone
Are steroids hydrophilic or phobic?
Hydrophobic
Are steroids transported in plasma as free or bound molecules?
Mainly bound (~90%) to plasma proteins. Only free if biologically active
Are steroids and thyroxine soluble or insoluble in plasma?
Relatively insoluble
What do hormone carrier proteins do in terms of blood, and kidney filtration?
Increase amount transported in blood, and prevent rapid excretion by preventing filtration at kidney
What does albumin do as a carrier protein?
Binds many steroids and thyroxine
What does transthyretin do as a carrier protein?
Binds thyroxine and some steroids
Are proteins and peptides soluble or insoluble in plasma?
Soluble
What do carrier proteins act as in terms of hormone concentration?
A buffer and reservoir helping to maintain constant concentrations of free lipophilic hormone in blood
Are free and bound hormones at equilibrium in the blood?
Yes
What hormones can cross the capillary wall to activate receptors in target tissues?
Only free hormones
What is the primary determinant of plasma concentration of hormones?
Rate of secretion
What does negative feedback do in terms of hormone concentration?
Maintains plasma concentration at set level
What does tropic mean?
Refers to hormone that acts upon another endocrine gland to regulate its secretion of hormone
What is neuroendocrine control in terms of hormonal levels?
Elicits a sudden burst in secretion to meet a specific stimulus
What is diurnal rhythm control in terms of hormonal levels?
Secretion rates fluctuate as a function of time- entrained to external cues such as day/night