The Endocrine System

Question 1

Hypothalamus

Answer 1

region of the forebrain that coordinates the autonomic nervous system and governs the endocrine system via the pituitary gland; it directs maintenance activities for homeostasis including hunger, thirst, body temperature regulation, sleep and emotional responses

Question 2

Endocrine system

Answer 2

Complex network of integrated organs that communicate directives to help regulate all other body systems and maintain homeostasis

Question 3

Pancreas

Answer 3

gland that secretes digestive enzymes into the small intestines for macronutrient breakdown; also produces the hormones insulin and glucagon for blood glucose regulation

Question 4

Eustress

Answer 4

positive, desirable form of stress that influences physiological/psychological health; sources can include exercise or working towards obtainable goals within one’s occupation

Question 5

Distress

Answer 5

negative form of stress that influences physiological/psychological health; can be caused by excessive stress or forms which fail to improve well-being, such as anxiety or lack of sleep

Question 6

Steroid hormones

Answer 6

cholesterol-based compounds that serve various functions related, but not limited to: sexual development, reproduction, tissue synthesis, inflammation regulation and metabolism (e.g., cortisol, estrogen, testosterone)

Question 7

Polypeptide hormones

Answer 7

chains of amino acids synthesized within endocrine cells that attach to membrane receptors on cells to activate secondary messenger systems (e.g., insulin and glucagon)

Question 8

Pituitary gland

Answer 8

regulates anabolic hormones, such as growth hormone, as well as other communicators in conjunction with the hypothalamus

Question 9

Anabolic hormones

Answer 9

compounds involved in stimulating protein synthesis and tissue growth (e.g., muscle, organs, connective tissue)

[help with growth and repairing muscle tissue]

Question 10

Growth hormones

Answer 10

promotes cell division and proliferation by facilitating protein synthesis; it protects glycogen reserves and limits carbohydrate metabolism by mobilizing lipids for fuel during exercise and also plays a role in recovery

Question 11

Heavy weightlifting and other forms of intense exercise expedites?

Answer 11

the release of growth hormone which functions as a stimulator of insulin-like growth factor-1 activity and release from the liver

Question 12

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1):

Answer 12

considered to be a central signaling hormone for the promotion of muscle growth following resistance training (hypertrophy promoter

Question 13

Testosterone

Answer 13

anabolic hormone produced in men and women that stimulates the development of male secondary sexual characteristics (e.g., facial hair) and acts on gene expression for protein synthesis; men possess 10x the quantity of women

Question 14

Estrogen

Answer 14

steroid hormone that promotes the development and maintenance of female secondary characteristics (e.g., breast tissue) and is integral to bone maintenance in men and women; men convert testosterone into a form of estrogen (estradiol)

Question 15

Carbohydrates are metabolized into

Answer 15

glucose to maintain blood sugar levels; pancreatic hormones regulate this level to limit hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia

Question 16

Hyperglycemia

Answer 16

abnormally high blood glucose level which can potentially damage bodily tissues, including vascular structures (diabetes

Question 17

Hypoglycemia

Answer 17

low blood sugar level that occurs when blood glucose concentrations drop below a critical level; the metabolic demands of the brain and central nervous system cannot be met

Question 18

Glucagon

Answer 18

functions to regulate blood glucose by stimulating glycogen breakdown in the liver to release free glucose into circulation to increase levels

Question 19

Insulin

Answer 19

regulates blood glucose control and tissue growth, allows blood glucose to be pulled from the bloodstream into tissues based on need; dysfunction is associated with insulin resistance and diabetes

Question 20

Thyroid

Answer 20

gland which serves as the primary regulator for growth and the rate of metabolism within the body; function is important for normal child development and lean mass maintenance

Question 21

Individuals suffering from “slow metabolism” may be actually experiencing

Answer 21

Hypothyroidism

Question 22

Hypothyroidism

Answer 22

abnormally low activity of the thyroid which usually results in weight gain and can retard growth as well as mental development

Question 23

Adrenal glands

Answer 23

located above the kidneys and release hormones from two separate sections, the adrenal cortex and medulla, which regulate responses to stress and exercise

Question 24

Major adrenal hormones include

Answer 24

cortisol as well as epinephrine and norepinephrine (the catecholamines)

Question 25

Cortisol

Answer 25

regulates numerous metabolic/cardiovascular functions and helps manage blood pressure; it is released in response to exercise stress and low blood glucose concentrations; a chronic elevation in cortisol is associated with overtraining

Question 26

Epinephrine

Answer 26

secreted by the adrenal glands during conditions of stress to increase blood circulation, ventilation, and carbohydrate metabolism to prepare muscles for exertion (a.k.a. adrenaline)

Question 27

Norepinephrine

Answer 27

secreted from the adrenal glands in response to stress by increasing blood pressure and blood glucose levels; has an affinity for different tissue receptors than epinephrine but facilitates similar responses

Question 28

Catecholamines

Answer 28

potent neurotransmitters that help the body respond to stress or elicit fight-or-flight responses (e.g., dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine

Question 29

Fight or flight response

Answer 29

acute increase in adrenal hormone activity which expedites enhancements in cardiac output, blood flow, and energy metabolism to rapidly deal with a perceived stress/threat

Question 30

Staple of pre-diabetic programs

Answer 30

Resistance training