The Endocrine Sustem Flashcards

1
Q

What is the endocrine system

A

The endocrine system is a collection of glands throughout the body that secrete hormones directly into the blood

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2
Q

What do hormones do

A

Hormones produced by the endocrine system regulate body functions including metabolism, fertility and water balance

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3
Q

What is negative feedback

A

Negative feedback is a regulatory mechanism in which a stimulus causes an opposite output in order to maintain an ideal level of whatever is being regulated

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4
Q

What is positive feedback

A

Positive feedback back is when the body responds to already low/high levels of hormones in the body, and amplifies those levels, rather than to try and balance them and control them

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5
Q

Example of negative feedback

A

If there is a very high level of thyroxine produced, the pituitary gland sends a signal to the thyroid gland, to stop the prediction of thyroxine until the levels are stable and balanced again

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6
Q

What is an example of positive feedback

A

During childbirth, the pituitary gland produces extra oxytocin, producing very high levels in the body. The oxytocin helps muscle contractions and acts as a natural pain reliever

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7
Q

What are the main glands

A
  • pituitary gland
  • thyroid gland
  • adrenal gland
  • pancreatic gland
  • ovarian gland
  • glands in the testes
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8
Q

What does the thyroid gland release

A

Thyroxine - contrails how much energy your body uses (metabolic rate), aids brain development, bone health, and muscle control

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9
Q

What do the adrenal glands release

A

Adrenaline

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10
Q

What do the pancreatic glands release

A

Insulin - helps the breakdown of sugar in the blood stream

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11
Q

What do the ovary glands release

A

Oestrogen - helps female puberty, and menstrual development

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12
Q

What do the testicular glands produce

A

Testosterone - male puberty

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13
Q

What is adrenaline and how does it work

A
  • Adrenaline is a hormone that triggers the “fight or flight” response in stressful or dangerous situations.
  • It increases heart rate, breathing rate, and blood flow to muscles, preparing the body for action.
  • It also releases stored glucose into the blood for extra energy.
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14
Q

How is adrenaline released

A
  • The hypothalamus in the brain detects stress or danger.
  • It sends signals via the nervous system to the adrenal glands (located on top of the kidneys).
  • The adrenal glands release adrenaline into the bloodstream.
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15
Q

Why is adrenaline important

A
  • It helps the body respond quickly to emergencies.
  • Provides the energy and physical readiness needed to escape or confront a threat.
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16
Q

What does adrenaline control

A
  • Heart rate: makes the heart beat faster to pump blood more efficiently.
  • Airways: widens them to allow more oxygen intake.
  • Blood vessels: redirects blood to muscles and away from non-essential organs.
  • Glucose levels: increases blood sugar to fuel muscles
17
Q

What does excess adrenaline cause

A
  • Anxiety or restlessness due to overstimulation of the nervous system.
  • High blood pressure and a rapid heartbeat.
  • Sweating, headaches, or difficulty sleeping.
  • weight gain and increased risk of diabetes type 2
18
Q

What does not having enough adrenaline do

A
  • Reduced ability to respond to stress or danger.
  • Fatigue and lack of energy, as glucose release is impaired.
  • Difficulty maintaining blood pressure, which can lead to dizziness or fainting.
19
Q

What Signals Adrenaline to Be Released?

A

The hypothalamus activates the sympathetic nervous system in response to:
- Physical danger (e.g., a predator or accident).
- Emotional stress (e.g., anxiety or fear).
- Excitement or exercise can also trigger smaller releases

20
Q

What is thyroxine and what does it do

A

Thyroxine is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland (in the neck).
It regulates the body’s metabolic rate, controlling how fast energy is used.
It affects growth, development, and body temperature

21
Q

How is thyroxine released

A
  • The hypothalamus in the brain releases thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH).
  • TRH stimulates the pituitary gland to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
  • TSH signals the thyroid gland to produce and release thyroxine into the blood.
22
Q

Why is thyroxine important

A
  • It ensures cells have enough energy to function properly by increasing the metabolic rate.
  • It helps regulate body temperature, supporting processes like sweating or shivering.
  • It is vital for growth and brain development, especially in children.
23
Q

What does thyroxine control

A
  • Metabolic rate: the speed at which cells convert nutrients into energy.
  • Heart rate: increases in thyroxine can make the heart beat faster.

Protein synthesis: promotes tissue repair and growth.
Development: plays a key role in bone growth and brain development

24
Q

What does an excess of thyroxine do

A
  • Overactive metabolism leading to weight loss and heat intolerance.
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat and increased nervousness or anxiety.
  • Muscle weakness, sweating, and fatigue.
25
What does not having enough thyroxine do
- Slow metabolism, causing weight gain and cold intolerance. - Fatigue, depression, and difficulty concentrating ("brain fog"). - Dry skin, hair loss, and slower growth in children. - Severe deficiency during infancy can lead to developmental delays.
26
What signals thyroxine to be released
- Low levels of thyroxine in the blood are detected by the hypothalamus. - This triggers the release of TRH, starting the chain reaction (TRH → TSH → thyroxine). - When enough thyroxine is in the blood, the process slows down in a negative feedback loop.
27
How do hormones stimulate cells to perform their functions
- the hormones bind directly to special receptors on the cells, that are adapted only to bind to those receptors
28
What is a hormone
Hormones are large chemical molecules produced by the endocrine glands and are secreted in the blood
29
How is the thyroid stimulated to release thyroxine
- Thyroxine regulates the body's basal metabolic rate, heart rate, and temp - Hypothalamus detects low/high levels of Thyroxine and releases/slows release of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), - TRH stimulates the Pituitary gland to secrete Thyrold stimulating hormone (TSH) - TSH stimulates the Thyroid gland to release Thyroxine