The Endocrine System Flashcards
The Endocrine System
The endocrine glands
Hormones
The Function of the Endocrine System
To regulate the activities of other organs and glands in the body
To assist with the metabolism of fats, proteins and
carbohydrates
To assist with the water and electrolyte balance
Pituitary Gland
The “MASTER GLAND”
Controls the activities of the other glands
Two lobes
1) Anterior lobe secretes: Growth hormone (GH)
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Reproductive hormones
2) Posterior lobe: Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Oxytocin
Hypothalamus Gland
Produce ADH and oxytocin
Pineal Gland
Regulates the sleep-wake cycle with the secretion of melatonin
Thyroid Gland
Butterfly shape located in the neck in front of the larynx
Regulates metabolism with the secretion of thyroxine
Parathyroid Gland
Four glands – two on either side of the thyroid gland
Regulates Ca+ levels in the body
Thymus Gland
Stimulates the immune system
Stores T cells until they are needed by the body
Shrinks after puberty
Adrenal Glands
A pair of glands located one on top of each kidney
T Cell
Type of white blood cell
Two parts of the Adrenal Glands
1) Adrenal medulla (inner): Secretes epinephrine and norepinephrine
Stimulate energy production during emergencies
2) Adrenal cortex (outer): Secretes three groups of hormones
1) Glucocorticoids: Regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates
Control stress and inflammation response
2) Mineralocorticoids: regulate salt
H2O absorption and loss via the kidneys
3) male and female sex hormones
Hyperthyroidism
Overactive thyroid gland
Too much thyroid hormone is produced
Hypothyroidism
Underactive thyroid gland
Decreased production of thyroid hormone
Diabetes
Disorder in which there is too much sugar in the blood due to insufficient or ineffective insulin
Hyperglycemia
Too much sugar in the blood generally blood sugar reading > 14
Left untreated, mild hyperglycemia can lead to long term complications
severe hyperglycemia can be life-threatening
Normal blood sugar
4-7
Two types of diabetes
1) Type 1 diabetes: Pancreas does not produce insulin
2) Type 2 diabetes: Most common type
Pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body does not utilize the insulin produced properly
Treatment often consists of diet and exercise or oral medications
3) Gestational diabetes: Develops during pregnancy
The Immune System
Function: To defend the body from internal and external ‘threats’
1) Internal threat – our own cells gone astray (cancer)
2) External threat – pollens and toxins
Nonspecific immunity
The body’s reaction to anything it does not recognize as a normal body substance
Two lines of defenses (First line) (M,C,R)
Mechanical barriers: intact skin and mucous membranes
Chemical barriers: tears, stomach acid, saliva,
Reflexes: cough, sneeze, vomiting, diarrhea
Two lines of defenses (Second line) (P,I,H,F)
Phagocytes: WBC that digest /destroy micro-organisms and other unwanted substances
Inflammation: when tissues are injured or irritated
Histamines: Also cause vessels to leak which causes swelling
Fever: Stimulates phagocytosis and decreases the ability of certain pathogens to multiply
Antibodies
Normal body substances that recognize
abnormal/unwanted substances (part of our bodies)
Antigens
Abnormal/unwanted substances (not part of are body)
Antigen causes the production of antibodies which
Attack and destroy the antigens
Lymphocytes (WBC)
WBC that produce antibodies
Lymphocyte production increases as the body fights an infection
phagocytosis
the eating cell
B lymphocytes (B cells): (WBC)
Cells that cause the production of antibodies that
Circulate in plasma these B cells respond to specific antigens
T lymphocytes (T cells) (WBC)
Cells that destroy invading cells
Two processes for immunity to diseases
1) Genetic immunity: Protects a member of one species from disease that afflict an other species
2) Acquired immunity:
Active: acquired by having the disease
the body will develop antibodies against the invaders
Passive: short-lived immunity passed from mother to fetus through the placenta and breast milk lasts up to ~6 mo of age
ARTIFICIALLY ACQUIRED IMMUNITY
By way of vaccine or immune globulin
