THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM Flashcards
the endocrine system
a complex and critical regulatory system in the human body, responsible for controlling and coordinating various physiological processes through the secretion and circulation of hormones
the endocrine system is often referred to as a ductless system, true or false
true
endocrine glands are ductless, true or false
true
the pancreas has endocrine and exocrine functions, true or false
true
name some purely endocrine glands
Pituitary gland
Pineal gland
Thyroid gland
Parathyroid glands Adrenal: 2 glands(medulla and cortex)
name some endocrine cells that are also found in other cells
Pancreas
Thymus
Gonads
Hypothalamus
what are the components of the endocrine system
endocrine glands
hormones
how does the endocrine system act as a communication system
through hormonal signalling(chemical systems)
through remote communication systems, which provide the means to control a huge number of physiological processes
endocrine glands
ductless glands comprised of endocrine cells
endocrine glands release hormones directly into the blood stream, true or false
true
pheromones
chemical substances produced and released by animals and even some plants to communicate with others of the same species. They are released outside of the body
hormones can act on both local and distant target cells, true or false
true
autocrine signalling
this is when hormones are released by a cell to activate the same cell
paracrine signalling
when hormones are released by a cell to activate neighbouring cells
target cells
Target cells refer to cells that contain specific receptors (binding sites)for a particular hormone.
all cell types respond in the same way to the same hormone, true or false
false
which 3 types of hormones are typically considered as the most important
Peptide Hormones
Amino Acid Derivatives
Steroid Hormones
what are some actions carried out by hormones
Fetal development and differentiation
Cell growth and cancer Metabolism
Cardiovascular function Renal function
Skeletal function Reproductive function Immune function
Central nervous system function
lipophilic hormones
examples
which receptors do they bind to
fat-soluble hormones
steroid hormones, thyroid hormones
intracellular receptors
hydrophilic hormones
examples
what receptors do they bind to
water- soluble hormones
all other hormones apart from steroid and thyroid hormones
binds to extracellular receptors
peptide hormones
where are they synthesized
where are they stored
lipophilic or hydrophilic
where are receptors found on target cells
hormones that are comprised of chains of amino acids
Synthesized on ribosomes of the (rough) ER of endocrine cells
Can be stored in vesicles in endocrine cells
water soluble
Receptors are found on the cell surface of their target cells.(extracellular)
vasopressin hormones are also known as
antidiuretic hormones
the types of amino acid derivative hormones
tyrosine derivatives
tryptophan derivatives
the two most important tyrosine-derived hormones
Catecholamines, e.g, epinephrine(adrenaline), norepinephrine(noradrenaline), and dopamine
Thyroid Hormones, e.g, T4(Thyroxine) and T3(Triiodothyronine)
the two most important examples of tryptophan-derived enzymes
melatonin
serotonin
steroid hormones
produced by?
derived from?
can they be stored in vesicles?
where are it’s receptors located on target cells?
a class of hormones that are derived from cholesterol and have a characteristic chemical structure
the gonads, the adrenal cortex, and the kidneys.
cholesterol
no
inside the target cells
why can steroid hormones not be stored in vesicles
because;
they are highly lipid soluble, and can therefore easily diffuse through the cell membrane, without needing any vesicular storage
they are also produced on demand, and are synthesised only when needed, rather than being synthesised and needing to be stored in vesicles for later release
homeostasis
a fundamental biological concept that refers to the body’s ability to maintain a stable and balanced internal environment despite changes and challenges in the external environment.
negative feedback
turns off a signal in response to a change in the body. it is homeostatic
positive feedback
where a signal amplifies a signal (vicious cycle).I.e. Child birth. Not homeostatic
chromaffin cells
are neuroendocrine cells found in the medulla of the adrenal glands
neurohormones
a special category of hormones that are produced and released by nerve cells (neurons) rather than endocrine glands