The Endocrine system Flashcards
What does the endocrine system consist of?
The endocrine system consists of a series of glands that secrete a variety of hormones into the bloodstream.
How do hormones reach their target organs?
Hormones are transported to their target organ in order for the desired effect to take place in the blood stream
What is the function of exocrine glands?
Exocrine glands release secretions through ducts into the surface of an organ or into the blood cavity.
Examples include sweat glands within the skin or digestive enzymes.
What do endocrine glands do?
Endocrine glands release hormones straight into the bloodstream.
What are the responsibilities of the endocrine system?
The endocrine system is responsible for growth and development, stress response, sexual development and arousal, glucose and mineral regulation, control of weight, emotional regulation, and responding to changes in the environment.
What are water soluble hormones?
Water soluble hormones can be easily transported in the bloodstream without the need of a plasma protein and require a receptor on the cell membrane to trigger reactions within the cytoplasm.
What effects can water soluble hormones have on cells?
Water soluble hormones can change the permeability of the cell membrane or trigger the activation of other molecules within the cell.
What are lipid soluble hormones?
Lipid soluble hormones are able to pass through the phospholipid bilayer of the membrane and bind to receptors inside the cell nucleus.
What is an example of lipid soluble hormones?
Examples include thyroid and steroid hormones, which can directly control the function of the cells to produce more proteins by transcription.
How do lipid soluble hormones contribute to body function?
Lipid soluble hormones help with growth and maintaining body function.
compare lipid soluble hormones to water soluble hormones
What are steroid hormones?
Steroid hormones include testosterone and progesterone. They are made in the liver using cholesterol from our diet.
How do steroid hormones function?
Steroid hormones can enter through the cell membrane to modulate cell function.
What are polypeptide hormones?
Polypeptide hormones are produced and stored within particular endocrine cells in vesicles or secretory granules until needed.
What triggers the release of polypeptide hormones?
The release of polypeptide hormones is triggered by substances such as ions.
How do polypeptide hormones interact with cells?
They interact with receptors or proteins on the cell membrane, initiating secretion of substances, stimulating cell mitosis, and increasing uptake of substances within the cell.
Give examples of polypeptide hormones.
Examples include thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and luteinising hormone (LH), which vary in size depending on the number of amino acids.
What are modified amino acid hormones?
Modified amino acid hormones are the chemical modification of amino acids.
What are examples of modified amino acid hormones?
They include thyroid hormones and serotonin, which can be converted into melatonin by the pineal gland to induce sleep.
