The Endocrinal System

Question 1

What is the function of the Endocrinol system?

Answer 1

to secrete hormones in the blood stream to regulate many of our bodily function and also provides a chemical system of communication via the blood stream

i.e. the Endocrinol system releases melatonin from the pineal gland that induces sleepiness and relaxation

Question 2

What are hormones?

Answer 2

chemicals that are released by glands into the bloodstream and carried to target structures around the body

Question 3

What is the pituitary gland?

Answer 3

a gland within the endocrinal system, it has the power to influence all other endocrine glands and governed by the hypothalamus

Question 4

What are three hormomes released from the pituitary gland?

Answer 4

adrenocortical trophic hormone (ACTH)

Growth Hormone

Prolactin

Question 5

What is the target organ and the effects of adrenocortical trophic hormone (ACTH)?

Answer 5

travels in the bloodstream from the pituitary gland to adrenal gland where it ‘tells’ the adrenal cortex to release glucosorticoids

Question 6

What is the target organ and the effects of growth hormone?

Answer 6

produced by the anterior pituitary and stimulates cell growth and multiplication

Question 7

What is the target organ and the effects of prolactin?

Answer 7

mammary glands to produce and release milk

Question 8

What are three endocrine glands?

Answer 8

adrenal gland (adrenal medulla)
pineal gland
pituitary gland

Question 9

What are the main hormones released from the adrenal gland?

Answer 9

adrenaline and naradrenaline

Question 10

What is the main hormone released from the pineal gland?

Answer 10

melotonin

Question 11

What are the main hormones released from the pituitary gland?

Answer 11

growth hormone
prolactin
ACTH

Question 12

What is the function and effect of the hormones released in the adrenal gland?

Answer 12

increased heart rate

constricts blood vessels, increasing rate of blood flow ad raising blood pressure

diverts blood away from skin, kidneys and digestive system

increases respiration and sweating

Question 13

What is the function and effect of the hormones released in the pineal gland?

Answer 13

increase in drowsiness
decrease in metabolic rate
decrease in body temperature

Question 14

What is the fight or flight response?

Answer 14

humans and animals have developed a mechanism to deal with potential threats in their environment, preparing us to either run away or fight.

Question 15

Where is the fight or flight response generated from and why?

Answer 15

it it generated from the ANS specifically the sympathetic branch.

It is a relax response designed to help an individual react quicker than normal circumstanced would permit.

Question 16

What is the appraisal of stressor?

Answer 16

firstly, the body appraises the situation using its sensory systems and stored memories.

The hippocampus and amygdala try to recognise emotional reactions to stimuli and access stored memorised for potential danger

If the situation is appraised as potentially stressful, the hypothalamus is alerted.

Question 17

If the hypothalmus is alerted, what does it activate?

Answer 17

either the SAM system (immediate response to acute stressor) a.k.a the fight or flight response

or the pituitary adrenal system (HPA Axis) a.k.a chronic stressor

Question 18

What are the 5 steps on the body’s reponse to acute stress (immediate stress)

Answer 18

1. situation is percieved as stressful due to memories, emotions or instincs
2. hypothalamus is alerted. This recognises the stress is acute.
3. the sympathomedullary (SAM) pathway is activated
4. This stimulates the adrenal gland which are situated just above the kidney
5. the adrenal medulla secreted the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline

Question 19

What are the 4 bodily effects of the fight or flight response?

Answer 19

• increase in perspiration (sweat)
• inscrease in respireation rate
• increase in blood flow to muscles for muscular tension
• pupil dilates
• increase in heart rate and raised blood pressure
• reduces activity in digestive system

Question 20

What is the function of testosterone?

Answer 20

has a role in the development of male reproductive tissues as well as promoting secondary sexual characteristics

increases muscle and bone mass and also aggression

Question 21

What is the function of adrenaline?

Answer 21

increases many bodily functions to prepare the muscle for exertion.

increases breathing rate and blood circulation

Question 22

What is the function of ACTH?

Answer 22

used in medication and diagnostic agent and is often produced in response to biological stress

lowers anxiety

Question 23

What is the function of Oestrogen?

Answer 23

has a role in the growth and development of female secondary sexual characteristics

growth of breasts and regulates menstrual cycle

Question 24

What is cortisol?

Answer 24

controls blood sugar and regulates metabolism and reduces inflammation