Principles Flashcards
what is meant by endocrine glands?
ductless glands that secrete into the bloodstream
the anterior pituitary releases what hormone?
adrenocorticotropic hormone ACTH
what does the release of ACTH cause?
adrenal cortex synthesises and releases cortisol
specificity of signalling is achieved by what three things?
chemically distinct hormones
specific receptors for each hormone
distinct distibution of receptors across target cells
list the major endocrine organs
hypothalmus
pituitary
thyroid (and parathyroid)
adrenal
pancreas
ovary/testes
pineal and hypothalmus also
what are the four chemical natures of hormones?
Modified amino acids
Steroids
Peptides
Proteins
give examples of modified aminoo acid hormones
adrenaline
thyroid hormones
give examples of steroid hormones
cortisol
progesterone
testosterone
give examples of peptide hormones?
adrenocorticotropic hormone ATCH
antidiuretic hormone ADH
oxytocin
give example of protein hormone
insulin
what are the three types of chemical signalling
autocrine
paracrine
endocrine
describe autocrine signalling
cell releases signaling molecules that stimulate an effect on the same cell itself
describe paracrine signalling
cell releases signalling molecules that diffuse over a short distance in the interstitial fluid
describe endocrine signalling
cell synthesises signalling molecule then releases it into bloodstream
which chemical signalling works over ong distance?
endocrine signalling
how do hormones in endocrine signalling affect organs?
integrates organ function with hormones at very low concentration
in endocrine signalling hormones bind to what to initiate a biological response?
cognate receptors- (specific)
what triggers a biological response in endocrine signalling?
activated receptor engaging a signal transduction cascade
what is the purpose of the signal transduction cascade?
amplification of the original signal
hormone action is slower/faster than neurotransmitters?
slower
(seconds to days)
how is hormone action terminated?
enzyme mediated metabolic inactivation in the liver, or at sites of action
which hormones contribute to the response of the body to short term intense exercise?
adrenaline
cortisol
glucagon
adrenaline, cortisol and glucagon prevent what?
hypoglycaemia
hypokalaemia
which hormones are essential for normal growth?
growth hormone (GH)
insulin
IGF-1
sex steroids
give an example of hormones that have an antagonistic action?
insulin v glucagon
how are amines synthesised and stored?
they are pre-synthesised and stored in vesicles
what triggers the release of amines?
Ca2+ dependant exocytosis
how are amines transported?
mainly ‘free’ in the plasma
are amines hydrophilic/phobic?
hydrophilic
how are peptides and proteins synthesised and stored?
pre-synthesised usually from longer chain and stored in vesicles
where in the cell are the precursor proteins for peptide hormones synthesised?
ribosomes of the rough ER
what triggers the release of proteins and peptides?
Ca2+ dependant exocytosis
how are protiens and petides transported?
mainly ‘free’ in the plasma
peptides are hydrophilic/phobic
hydrophilic
how are steroids synthesised and stored?
they are synthesised and secreted upon demand
what affects the rate of synthesis of steroids?
1) Cellular uptake and availabiloty of cholesterol
2) Rate of conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone
what is the rate limiting step in the synthesis of steroids?
conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone
steroids are hyrdrophilic/phobic
hydrophobic
how are steroids transported?
90%- bound to plasma proteins
10%- free
which three hormones are relatively insoluble in plasma?
Steroids
thyroxine (T4)
triiodothyronine (T3)
what are the three main functions of carrier proteins?
- inc amount transported in blood
- provide reservoir of hormone
- extend half-life of hormone in circulation
what are the three specific carrier proteins?
cortisol-bindign globulin (CBG)
thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG)
sex steroid-binding globulin (SSBG)
what are the two general carrier proteins?
albumin- binds many steroids and thyroxine
tranthyretin- binds thyroxine and some steroids
which hormones are souluble in plasma and do not require carrier proteins?
proteins and peptides
which molecules act as a buffer and reservoir in the blood?
carrier proteins
free and bound hormone are in equilibrium in the blood true/false
true- carrier proteins maintain relatively constant conc of free lipophilic hormone in the blood
only ____ hormone can cross the capillary wall
free
free hormones activate receptors where?
target tissues
how are surges in hormone secretion controlled?
buffered by binding to carriers
note: free conc doesnt rise abruptly
how is free hormone removed from plasma?
elimination
what happens when free hormone is removed from the plasma?
replaced by bound hormone dissociating from carrier protein
what mechanism controls the synthesis and concentraon of cortisol?
negatiev feedback
what is short range negative feedback of cortisol?
cortisol carried back to the pituitary where it supresses release of ACTH
what is long range negative feedback control of cortisol?
cortisol carried back to hypothalmus to prevent further synthesis of cortisol
what does the hypothalmus release in the cortisol synthesis pathway?
secretes corticotropin releasing hormone
what does corticotropin releasing hormone from the hypothalmus act on?
anterior pituitary