The Endocrine System Flashcards
intercellular communication
-preserves homeostasis
-mostly done through chemical messages
distant communication
is coordinated by endocrine and nervous systems
nervous system is fast
specific and short duration
endocrine system is slower
releases hormones into bloodstream that bind to target cells, long duration
nervous and endocrine systems comparison
-both rely on the release of chemicals that bind to specific receptors on target cells
-both share chemical messengers
-both are regulated by negative feedback mechanisms
-both coordinate and regulate activities of other cells, tissues, organs, and systems to maintain homeostasis
chemical messengers for nervous and endocrine systems
-Epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE), hormones released from the adrenal medulla
-NE, a neurotransmitter when released in synapses
the endocrine system
-includes all endocrine cells and tissues
-cells are glandular and secretory
-secretions enter the ECF
-cytokines are local chemical messengers
-hormones are chemical messengers secreted into the blood and transported to target cells
peptide hormones
-largest group
-includes ADH, oxytocin, hypothalamic, pituitary, pancreatic hormones
lipids derivatives
-most derived from cholesterol
-steroid hormones released by reproductive organs and adrenal cortex
-for example, testosterone, estrogen
mechanisms of hormonal action
hormones alter operations of target cells
-changes identities, activities, locations, or quantities of structural proteins and enzymes
-sensitivity of target cell to hormones depends on specific receptors
-receptors are located either on plasma membrane or inside the cell
hormonal action at the plasma membrane
receptors on plasma membrane
-E, NE, and peptide hormones are not lipid soluble
-cannot diffuse through the plasma membrane
-must use a receptor on outside of membrane
-effect is not direct; they are first messengers that activate second messengers in the cytoplasm
-action is linked by G protein, an enzyme complex
cyclic-AMP second messenger system
cyclic AMP, or cAMP
-first messenger activates a G protein
-which activates enzyme adenylate cyclase
-which converts ATP to second messenger, cAMP
-which activates kinase enzymes inside cell
-which phosphorylates another molecule
-enzyme cascade
-produces amplification of signal
intracellular receptors
receptors inside cytoplasm or nucleus
-for thyroid and steroid hormones, lipid soluble
-forms hormone-receptor complex
-activates or inactivates specific genes
-alters rate of mRNA transcription
-changes structure or function of cell
hormone secretion and distribution
-rapidly enter blood and distributed throughout body
-freely circulating hormones are short-lived and inactivated when:
1. They diffuse to target cells and bind to receptors
2. They are absorbed and broken down in liver and kidney
3. They are broken down by enzymes in plasma or interstitial fluid
-hormones bound to transport proteins stay in circulation longer (steroid and thyroid hormones)
-each hormone has an equilibrium between bound and free forms
the hypothalamus and endocrine control
coordinating centers in hypothalamus regulate nervous and endocrine systems
the hypothalamus
- Acts as an endocrine gland, synthesizing ADH and oxytocin
- Secretes releasing and inhibiting regulatory hormones to control anterior pituitary secretions
- Contains ANS centers that control adrenal medullae through sympathetic innervation
the pituitary gland
-Also called the hypophysis
-Hangs from hypothalamus by infundibulum
-Anterior and posterior have very different structure
-Secretes nine hormones
-All are unique peptides or small proteins
-All use cAMP second messenger mechanism
the seven anterior lobe hormones
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- Prolactin (PRL) (milk production in mammary gland)
- Growth hormone (GH)
- Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) (triggers production of melanin)
Prolactin (PRL)
milk production in mammary gland
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)
triggers production of melanin
thyroid-stimulating hormone also called thyrotropin
-Released in response to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) from hypothalamus
-Triggers release of thyroid hormones from thyroid glands
-Increases in thyroid hormones cause decrease in TRH and TSH secretion
adrenocorticotropic hormone also called corticotropin
-Stimulates secretion of steroid hormones, called glucocorticoids, from adrenal cortex
-Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) from the hypothalamus triggers release of ACTH
-Increases in glucocorticoids feed back to inhibit ACTH and CRH secretion
the gonadotropins, or sex hormones, are triggered by
gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from hypothalamus
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
-promotes follicle (and egg) development females
-promotes sperm production in males
luteinizing hormone (LH)
-induces ovulation and secretion of progestins in females
stimulates production of androgens such as testosterone in males
growth hormone
also called human growth hormone (hGH) and somatotropin
-stimulates cell growth and replication of all cells, but especially skeletal muscle and chondrocytes
the two posterior lobe hormones
hormones diffuse down axons of hypothalamic neurons that extends into posterior lobe, then into capillaries
1. antidiuretic hormones (ADH)
2. oxytocin (OXT)
antidiuretic hormone also called vasopressin
-stimulated by increase in ECF osmolarity or decrease in blood volume and pressure
-primary target is kidney to decrease water loss
-triggers vasoconstriction to increase blood pressure
oxytocin
-in women stimulates contraction of uterine muscles during labor and delivery
-also stimulates contraction of cells surrounding milk secretory cells in mammary glands
-appears to play unclear role in sexual arousal
the thyroid gland
-found anterior to trachea and inferior to thyroid cartilage
-has two lobes connected by narrow isthmus
-contains many spherical thyroid follicles
-defined by simple cuboidal epithelium
-filled with viscous colloid with many proteins and thyroid hormones moleclues
the thyroid follicles
-follicular cells make thyroid hormones that are then stored in colloid
-TSH causes release of thyroid hormones
-majority are transported by plasma proteins
-dervied from amino acid tyrosine, and iodine
-thyroxine (T4 or tetraiodothyronine) has four atoms of iodine
-triiodothyronine (T3) has three iodine and is more potent
the effects of thyroid hormones
-activate nearly every cell in body
-increase rate of ATP production in mitochondria
-activate genes coding for enzyme synthesis
-enzymes increase rate of metabolism
-calorigenic effect is when cell uses more energy, measured in calories, and heat is produced
the c cells of the thyroid gland also called parafollicular cells, are found between follicles
produce calcitonin (CT)
-stimulated by increases in plasma Ca2+
-inhibits osteoclasts in bone
-stimulates calcium excretion by kidneys
-essential for normal bone growth in children and last trimester of pregnancy
calcium imbalances
hypercalcemia and hypocalemia
hypercalcemia causes
-decreased sodium permeability of excitable membranes
-results in less responsive muscles and nerves