S11) The Endocrine System Flashcards
Distinguish between the parasympathetic and sympathetic actions in terms of the following:
- Eye
- Salivary glands
- Heart
- Lung
- Intestines
- Kidneys / Gallbladder
- Bladder
- Rectum

What is endocrine communication?
Endocrine communication involves endocrine cells producing hormones which travel through the blood to reach all parts of the body

What is neuroendocrine communication?
Neuroendocrine communication involves neurosecretory cells releasing neurohormones which travel via the circulation to distant target cells e.g. hypothalamus, posterior pituitary and adrenal medulla

What are the organs of interest in the endocrine system?
- Liver
- Stomach
- Duodenum
- Pancreas
- Kidney
- Adrenal glands
Identify the hormones secreted from the following organs:
- Liver
- Kidney
- Duodenum
- Liver: angiotensin, IGF, thrombopoietin
- Kidney: renin, erythropoietin, thrombopoietin
- Duodenum: secretin, CCK
Identify the hormones secreted from the following organs:
- Pancreas
- Stomach
- Pancreas: insulin, glucagon, somatostatin
- Stomach: gastrin, ghrelin, somatostatin, histamine
Identify the hormones secreted from different parts of the adrenal glands
- Adrenal medulla: adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine
- Adrenal cortex: glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids
What are the main functions of hormones?
- Reproduction
- Metabolism and energy balance
- Growth and development
- Body defences
- General homeostasis (water, nutrient, electrolyte balance)
Distinguish between hormone action on cell surface receptors and intracellular receptors

Describe the synthesis, storage, transport, receptor, response of peptide hormones
- Synthesis: made in advance
- Storage: stored in secretory vesicles
- Transport: dissolved in plasma
- Receptor: cell surface receptor
- Response to receptor-ligand binding: activation of secondary messenger systems
Provide some examples of peptide hormones
- Insulin
- Glucagon
- PTH
- ACTH
Describe the synthesis, storage, transport, receptor, response of catecholamines (amino-acid derived hormones)
- Synthesis: made in advance
- Storage: stored in secretory vesicles
- Transport: dissolved in plasma
- Receptor: cell surface receptor
- Response to receptor-ligand binding: activation of secondary messenger systems
Provide some examples of catecholamines (amino-acid derived hormones)
- Adrenaline
- Noradrenaline
Describe the synthesis, transport, receptor, response of steroid hormones
- Synthesis: made on demand
- Transport: bound to carrier proteins
- Receptor: intracellular receptor (cytoplasm / nucleus)
- Response to receptor-ligand binding: activation of genes for transcription & translation
Provide some examples of the steroid hormones
- Oestrogen
- Aldosterone
- Cortisol
Describe the synthesis, storage, transport, receptor, response and examples of thyroid hormones
- Synthesis: made in advance
- Storage: precursor stored in secretory vesicles
- Transport: bound to carrier proteins
- Receptor: intracellular receptor (nucleus)
- Response to receptor-ligand binding: activation of genes for transcription & translation
Provide some examples of thyroid hormones (amino-acid derived hormones)
- Thyroxine
- T4
Identify some processes that the hypothalamus facilitates
- Thermoregulation (sweating, shivering)
- HR & BP
- Feeding & satiety
- Circadian rhythms
- Lactation
Describe the surface anatomy of the pituitary gland
The pituitary is divided into two lobes:
- Anterior pituitary
- Posterior pituitary

Discuss the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system and the hormones involved
- Anterior pituitary – 4 stimulatory and 2 inhibitory hormones travel via the hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system
- Posterior pituitary – ADH and oxytocin travel from the hypothalamus

What is stress?
Stress is commonly defined as a state of real or perceived threat to homeostasis
What is the stress response?
The stress response is the complex range of responses involving the endocrine, nervous and immune systems to maintain homeostasis in the presence of aversive stimuli (stressors)
What are the main effectors of the stress response?
- Hypothalamus
- Anterior pituitary gland
- Adrenal gland
What are the physiological adaptations of the stress response?
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased respiratory rate
- Increased blood glucose
- Inhibition of general vegetative functions (feeding, digestion, growth, reproduction, immunity)




