The Endocrine System Flashcards
What is the endocrine system?
Part of the animals regulatory system. It contains a number of glands that produce hormones which are vital for homeostasis
What are the Functions of the endocrine system?
Growth
Metabolism
Reproduction
What is the role of the hypothalamus?
It’s role is to respond to internal and external factors such as day lengths for breeding seasons or calcium levels
It’s does this by secreting releasing hormones and resounding to feedback which then instructs the pituitary gland
What is osmoregulation and how does it work?
Osmoregulation is the regulation of water levels in the blood
It works by:
1) The hypothalamus detecting too little water in blood
2) the pituitary gland releases ADH into the blood stream
3) ADH encourages the kidneys to reabsorb water from urine
4) blood water levels return to normal
5) hypothalamus detects this and less ADH is produced
what is the role of growth hormones?
To stimulate the rate of growth of bone and tissue in young animals
Produced by the anterior lobe
What is the role of thyroid stimulating hormone?
This stimulates the thyroid gland to produce a range of hormones which regulate metabolism
Produced by the anterior lobe
What is the role of adrenocorticotropin hormone?
To stimulate the adrenal gland to produce a range of hormones
Produced by the anterior lobe
What is the role of follicular stimulating hormone and Luteinising hormone?
Stimulate production of hormones for female reproduction
Produced by the anterior lobe
What is the role of prolactin?
To stimulate milk production
Produced by the anterior lobe/ pituitary gland
What is the role of ADH?
To control water loss from the kidneys and helps maintain homeostasis
Produced by the posterior lobe
What is the role of oxytocin?
To stimulate broth and milk production
Produced by the posterior lobe
What is the role of throxin?
Helps to maintain metabolic rate and regulates oxygen in the cells
Produced by the thyroid
What is the role of calcitonin?
Stimulates absorption of calcium by the bones to be stored when the calcium levels in the blood are too high
Produced by the thyroid
What is the role of parathyroid hormone?
If levels of calcium in the blood fall too low this hormone raises the calcium levels to the right amount
What is the role of cortisol?
It is released in response to stress and low levels of blood glucose
It increases blood sugar,suppresses the immune system and impacts metabolism
-produced by the adrenal cortex
What is the role of aldosterone?
It contributes to the process of osmoregulation
It helps regulate the balance of salt and water in the blood by encouraging the kidneys to reabsorb sodium increasing water retention
- it is produced by the adrenal cortex
What is the role of Adrenalin?
Produced by the adrenal medulla and forms fight and flight response in danger
If in threat the adrenal gland releases Adrenalin which increases heart rate and blood pressure, diluted air passages.
What is the role of oestrogen?
Is produced in the ovaries by the follicles and is important in the oestrus cycle in preparation for mating
What is the role of progesterone?
Helps to prepare for and maintain pregnancy
Stops the female from coming into heat when in pregnancy
- produced by the ovaries
What is the role of testosterone?
Produced by the testes
Stimulates sperm production as well as aspects of male sexual development and behaviour
What is the role of the pancreas?
To produce for mines to regulate blood glucose levels
-insulin
-glucagon
-somatostatin
It also produced enzymes used in digestion
What is the role of insulin?
Lower blood glucose levels
What is the role of glucagon?
Raises levels of glucose in the blood
What is the role of somatostatin?
Helps avoid big fluctuations in blood glucose levels
Mane some endocrine disorders
Hypothyroidism- shortage of thyroxin can cause stunted growth and sluggishness in older animals
Hyperthyroidism- too much thyroxin
Hyperparathyroidism- too much parathyroid hormone
Pancreas not producing enough insulin (diabetes)
Adrenal gland producing too many corticosteroids can lead to Cushings disease
