SNS - Biology - Endocrimology Flashcards
Hormones
Peptides
Examples
- ADH – simple, short peptide
- Insulin – complex polypeptide
Hormones
Steroid
Examples
- Oestrogen
- Aldosterone
Endocrine Glands
A-H
Secrete hormones directly into bloodstream
- Adrenals
- GI glands
- Heart
- Hypothalamus
Endocrine Glands
I-P
- Kidney
- Pancreas
- Parathyroids
- Pineal
- Pituitary
Endocrine Glands
Q-Z
- Ovaries
- Testes
- Thymus
- Thyroid
Endocrine Glands
Adrenal
Situated on top of the kidneys
Consist of cortex and medulla
Endocrine Glands
Adrenal
Cortex
- Anterior pituitary releases ACTH in response to stress, stimulating the adrenal cortex to synthesise and secret corticosteroid hormones – glucocorticoids and sex steroids
- Renin-angiotensin mechanism controls production of aldosterone
Corticosteroids
- Glucocorticoids
- Mineralocorticoids
- Cortical sex hormones
Corticosteroids
Glucocorticoids
- Cortisol, cortisone
- Involved in glucose regulation and protein metabolism – raise blood glucose levels by promoting protein breakdown and using the products for gluconeogenesis as well as decreasing protein synthesis
Corticosteroids
Mineralocorticoids
- eg Aldosterone
- Regulate plasma levels of sodium and potassium and thus extracellular fluid volume
- Causes active reabsorption of sodium and passive reabsorption of water in the nephron, increasing blood volume and BP.
- Excess aldosterone results in hypertension therefore
Corticosteroids
Cortical Sex Hormones
- Adrenal cortex secretes small amounts of androgens with androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone in both males and females
- In males, most androgens produced by testes, in females however, overproduction can have masculinising effects
Endocrine Glands
Adrenal
Medulla
- Produces catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline)
- Adrenaline increases conversion of glycogen to glucose in liver and muscle tissue
- Both NA and adrenaline increase heart rate and force and dilute and constrict blood vessels in such a way as to increase blood supply to skeletal muscle, heart and brain and decrease supply to kidneys, skin and digestive tract
Endocrine Glands
Pituitary
- Small, trilobed structure at base of brain
- Two main lobes – anterior and posterior
- Third lobe – intermediate – is rudimentary
Endocrine Glands
Pituitary
Anterior
- Synthesises both direct and trophic hormones
- Regulated by hypothalamic secretions – releasing or inhibiting hormones/factors
Endocrine Glands
Pituitary
Anterior
Direct Hormones
Directly stimulate target organs
- GH – bone and muscle growth
- Endorphins – NTs which behave like opioids
- Prolactin – stimulates milk production and secretion in female mammary glands
Endocrine Glands
Pituitary
Anterior
Trophic Hormones
Stimulate other endocrine glands to release hormones
- ACTH – stimulates adrenal cortex to secrete glucocorticoids. Regulated by CRF
- TSH = stimulates thyroid to release thyroid hormones such as thyroxine
- LH – stimulates ovulation and formation of corpus luteum in females. Stimulates interstitial cells of testes to synthesise testosterone in males
- FSH – stimulates maturation of ovarian follicles and secretion of oestrogen in females. Stimulates maturation of seminiferous tubules and sperm production in males
Endocrine Glands
Pituitary
Posterior
• Neurohypophysis
• Doesn’t synthesize but stores and releases peptide hormones produced by neurosecretory cells of the hypothalamus upon AP from hypothalamus
1. Oxytocin
2. ADH
Endocrine Glands
Pituitary
Posterior
Oxytocin
- Secreted during childbirth
- Increases strength and frequency of uterine contractions
- Positive feedback mechanism – oxytocin release causes uterine contraction which in turn stimulates the release of more oxytocin. Continues until the child is born
- Secretion also induced by suckling, as stimulates milk secretion in the mammary glands
Endocrine Glands
Pituitary
Posterior
ADH
- Increases the permeability of the collecting duct in the nephron to water, promoting water reabsorption and decreasing blood osmolarity by increasing blood volume
- Secreted when plasma osmolarity increases, as sensed by osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus, or in response to decreased blood volume as sensed by baroreceptors in the circulatory system
Endocrine Glands
Hypothalamus
- Receives neural transmission from other parts of the brain and peripheral nerves which trigger specific responses from neurosecretory cells
- Neurosecretory cells regulate pituitary gland secretions via negative feedback and via actions of inhibiting and releasing hormones