The Endocrine System

Question 1

Which other systems is the endocrine system closely linked to?

Answer 1

The nervous and immune systems.

Question 2

What are the means of control in the endocrine system?

Answer 2

Hormones transported via the bloodstream to most of the cells in the body.

Question 3

What is the speed response of endocrine compared to nervous?

Answer 3

Endocrine takes seconds or days whereas nervous takes milliseconds. Endocrine has a prolonged effect.

Question 4

Where is the hypothalamus located?

Answer 4

This is between the cerebellum and brainstem, houses pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

Question 5

What does the hypothalamus regulate?

Answer 5

This is the ‘control freak’, detects if there are changes or not. Regulates temp, fluid volume, growth, pain and pleasure, hunger and thirst.

Question 6

What are some examples of hypothalamus hormones?

Answer 6

-CRH
-TRH
-GH

Question 7

What is the meaning of releasing and inhibiting hormones?

Answer 7

These don’t have a direct effect but inhibit other endocrine glands (eg TRH causes pituitary gland to release TSH).

Question 8

Where is the pituitary gland located?

Answer 8

Sits beneath hypothalamus, ‘master gland’, divided into anterior and posterior pituitary glands.

Question 9

What kind of system is the anterior pituitary connected to?

Answer 9

Connect to hormonal.

Question 10

What kind of system is the posterior pituitary connected to?

Answer 10

Connect to neuronal (synaptic control).

Question 11

What are the anterior pituitary hormones?

Answer 11

-growth hormone (bone and muscle)
-prolactin (lactation)
-stimulating hormones (TSH, FSH, LH, ACTH).

Question 12

What is TSH?

Answer 12

The thyroid stimulating hormone and this stimulates the thyroid to produce T3 and T4, also stimulate the growth of thyroid gland.

Question 13

What are the posterior pituitary hormones?

Answer 13

-ADH (in kidney, reduces urine output)
-oxytocin (in uterus/ breast, milk release).

Question 14

Which hormones are present in the kidneys?

Answer 14

-1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (calcium absorption in intestines)
-renin (RAAS)
-erythropoietin (increases RBC production).

Question 15

Which hormones are present in the ovaries?

Answer 15

-estrogen
-progesterone (menstrual cycle, maintains pregnancy).

Question 16

Which hormones are present in the testes?

Answer 16

-androgens
-testosterone (secondary sexual characteristics, sperm production)

Question 17

Which hormones are present in the thymus?

Answer 17

-release thymosin and thymopoietin
-affects maturation of T lymphocytes

Question 18

What are the functions of the pineal gland?

Answer 18

-screte melatonin
-role in sleep wake cycles, body temp and sleep
-ageing and fertility.

Question 19

What are the functions of the thyroid gland?

Answer 19

-metabolism
-sweating
-HR, RR
-produces thyroid hormone and calcitonin
-takes up iodine from blood
-calcitonin (lowers calcium levels).

Question 20

Why is iodine important for production of T3 and T4 hormones?

Answer 20

T3 contains 3 I2 molecules, T4 contains 4.

Question 21

What are the functions of thyroid hormones?

Answer 21

-increase metabolic rate (low levels cause you to put on weight as can’t process calories)
-increase heat production
-regulate metabolism

Question 22

What do follicular cells do in the thyroid?

Answer 22

These extrete T3 and T4.

Question 23

What do thyroid C cells do in the thyroid?

Answer 23

Produce calcitonin- lowers blood calcium and phosphate levels.

Question 24

Where are parathyroid glands?

Answer 24

Embedded in the thyroid gland.

Question 25

What do the parathyroid glands secrete and function?

Answer 25

Chief cells secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH)- increases blood calcium levels.

Question 26

What hormones does the adrenal medulla secrete?

Answer 26

Adrenaline and noradrenaline (involved with the stress response).

Question 27

What hormones does the adrenal cortex secrete?

Answer 27

Steroid hormones:
-glucocorticoids like cortisol
-mineralcorticoid like aldosterone
-adrenal androgens (converted to testosterone).

Question 28

What happens to other levels if you have high aldosterone?

Answer 28

High Na+ and H20 retention, low K+ and H+ (inhibiting) and therefore, low pH.

Question 29

What are the functions of cortisol?

Answer 29

-regulates metabolism and stress response (chronic stress)
-raises blood sugar
-breakdown of fat and protein
-anti- inflammatory actions
-immune suppression.

Question 30

What are the functions of aldosterone?

Answer 30

-maintains salt and water balance
-acts on kidney to retain water
-regulates blood volume and blood pressure

Question 31

Where is the pancreas located?

Answer 31

Between the spleen and duodenum.

Question 32

What are the 2 main functions of the pancreas?

Answer 32

-digestive enzymes
-releases two hormones: insulin and glucagon.

Question 33

In pancreatic tissue, what kind of cell is glucagon in?

Answer 33

Alpha cells.

Question 34

In pancreatic tissue, what kind of cell is insulin in?

Answer 34

Beta cells.

Question 35

In pancreatic tissue, what cells are digestive enzymes in?

Answer 35

Exocrine cells.

Question 36

What is glycogenesis?

Answer 36

Turning glucose to glycogen in the liver.

Question 37

What is glycogenolosis?

Answer 37

Turning glycogen to glucose in the liver.