Primary Endocrine Organs

Question 1

Primary endocrine organs

Answer 1

Hypothalamus, Pituitary Gland (anterior and posterior), Pineal Gland, Thyroid gland, Parathyroid Glands, Adrenal Glands and Pancreas

Question 2

Hypothalamus

Question 3

Hormones of the anterior pituitary gland

Answer 3

Growth hormone, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone

Question 4

Growth hormone

Question 5

Prolactin

Question 6

Tsh

Question 7

ACTH

Question 8

FSH

Question 9

LH

Question 10

Hormones of the posterior pituitary gland

Answer 10

Antidiuretuc hormone and oxytocin

Question 11

Antidiuretuc hormone (ADH)

Answer 11

Targets kidneys, promotes water retention increasing blood volume; targets arterioles by stimulating construction which increases BP

Question 12

Oxytocin (OXT)

Answer 12

Targets uterus, stimulates uterine contraction during labour; targets mammary glands, promotes milk ejection during breast feeding

Question 13

Which hormone does the Pineal gland produce?

Answer 13

Produces melatonin

Question 14

Which organs does melatonin target?

Answer 14

Hypothalamus, pancreas, thyroid, pituitary, adrenals and gonads

Question 15

Principle action of melatonin

Answer 15

Major function is to regulate sleep-wake cycle
(low melatonin = wakefulness
high melatonin = sleep)
Other additional functions being identified e.g. inhibiting the reproductive system until sexual maturity

Question 16

Which hormones does the Thryoid gland produce?

Answer 16

Thryoid hormone (thyroid follicles) and calcitonin (parafollicular cells)

Question 17

Thryoid hormone target and action

Answer 17

General target. Principle actions include: regulating tissue growth and development, promoting carbohydrate oxidation and controlling production of catecholamines.

Question 18

Calcitonin

Answer 18

Targets bike and kidneys.
Decreases blood calcium concentration by: increasing deposition in bone and promoting calcium excretion by kidnevs

Question 19

Types of thyroid hormones

Answer 19

• Tetra-iodothyronine (thyroxine) (Ta);
contains four iodine atoms
• Triiodothyronine (T3);
contains three iodine atoms

Question 20

Which hormone does the parathyroid glands produce and what is its target and principle action?

Answer 20

Parathyroid hormone. Targets bone and kidneys. Increases blood calcium concentration by:
stimulating breakdown of bone, increasing calcium reabsorption by the kidneys, increasing the synthesis of calcitriol by the kidneys

Question 21

What is the relationship between Calcitonin and PTH?

Answer 21

They are antagonists

Question 22

Which hormones does the adrenal glands produce?

Answer 22

Mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, androgens and catecholamines

Question 23

Mineralocorticoids
(e.g. aldosterone)

Answer 23

Targets kidneys. Promotes sodium and water retention. Promotes loss of potassium and hydrogen ions in urine.

Question 24

Glucocorticoids
(e.g. cortisone, cortisol)

Answer 24

General target. Increases blood glucose, HR and BP (in response to stress). Maintains basal cell metabolism. Suppresses the immune system.

Question 25

Androgens

Answer 25

Targets gonads and regulates sex hormones.

Question 26

Catecholamines (e.g. adrenaline, noradrenaline)

Answer 26

Target is general. Mediates flight-or-flight response (i.e. increases heart rate, blood pressure, vasodilation and blood glucose)

Question 27

Which hormones are hormones of the adrenal cortex?

Answer 27

Mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids and gonadocorticoids (androgens)

Question 28

Cateholamines are hormones of..?

Answer 28

The adrenal medulla

Question 29

Which hormones does the pancreas produce?

Answer 29

Insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide

Question 30

Insulin
(beta cells)

Answer 30

Targets muscle, adipose tissue and liver.
Decreases blood glucose levels by stimulating uptake of glucose and promoting glycogen formation

Question 31

Glucagon (alpha cells)

Answer 31

Targets liver. Increases blood glucose levels by stimulating glycogen breakdown, increasing gluconeogenesis and inhibiting glycogen formation.

Question 32

Somatostatin (delta cells)

Answer 32

Targets pancreas and hypothalamus. Inhibits release of glucagon and insulin and regulates the pituitary gland.

Question 33

Pancreatic polypeptide
(PP cells)

Answer 33

General target, regulates feelings of hunger and satiety

Question 34

What is the relationship between insulin and glucagon?

Answer 34

They are antagonists