The Endocrine System Flashcards
Direct communication
Occurs between two cells of the same type in extensive physical contact
Gap junctions
- Coordinate ciliary movement among epithelial cells
- Coordinate the contractions of cardiac muscle cells
- Facilitate the propagation of action potentials from one neuron to the next at electrical synapses
Paracrine communication
Messages occur between cells within a single tissue
Autocrine communication
Occurs when the messages affect the same cells that secrete them
Endocrine communication
Occurs when the endocrine system uses hormones to relay information and instructions between cells in distant portions of the body
Target cells
Specific cells in other tissues that have the receptors needed to bind and read hormonal messages
Synaptic communication
Neurons release neurotransmitter at a synapse very close to target cells that have the appropriate receptors
Differences between endocrine and nervous communication
Nervous: split-second, specific, short-lived
Endocrine: slow, affect all cells, long-lasting
Similarities of nervous and endocrine communication
- Rely on the release of chemicals that bind to specific receptors on their target cells
- Share chemical messengers
- Regulated mainly by negative feedback control mechanisms
- Aim to control homeostasis
Major processes affected by hormones
- Growth and development
- Reproduction
- Regulation of cell metabolism and energy balance
- Regulation of body water content and levels electrolytes and organic nutrients
- Mobilisation of body defences
Endocrine cells
Glandular secretory cells that release their secretions into the extracellular fluid
Exocrine cells
Secrete their products onto epithelial surfaces through ducts
Classes of hormones
- Amino acid derivatives
- Peptide hormones
- Lipid derivatives
Amino acid deriatives
- Synthesised from amino acids tyrosine (thyroid hormones, E, NE and dopamine) and tryptophan (melatonin)
Peptide hormones
Glycoproteins and short polypeptides and small proteins
Lipid derivatives
- Eicosanoids
2. Steroid hormones
Eicosanoids
Signalling molecules including leukotrienes, prostaglandins, thromboxanes and prostacyclins
Inactivation of hormones
A freely circulating hormone remains functional for less than 1 hour
It is inactivated when:
- It diffuses out of the bloodstream and binds to receptors on target cells
- It is absorbed and broken down by cells of the liver or kidneys
- It is broken down by enzymes in the blood or interstitial fluids
Binding of a hormone
- Alter genetic activity
- Alter the rate of protein synthesis
- Change membrane permeability
Hormone receptor
Protein molecule to which a particular molecule binds strongly
Why do hormones have different effects on different tissues?
Cells have different combinations in different tissues
Down regulation
A process in which the presence of a hormone triggers a decrease in the number of hormone receptors
Cells become less sensitive to high levels of a particular hormone
Up regulation
A process in which the absence of a hormone triggers an increase in the number of hormone receptors
Cells become more sensitive to low levels of a particular hormone
Extracellular receptors
E, NE and dopamine
Peptide hormones
(Can’t penetrate a plasma membrane because they aren’t lipid soluble)
First messenger
A hormone that binds to an extracellular receptor
Second messenger
An intermediary molecule that appears due to a hormone-receptor interaction
Amplification
When a small number of hormone molecules binds to extracellular receptors, thousands of second messengers may appear in a cell
G protein
An enzyme complex coupled to a membrane receptor that serves as a link between the first and second messenger
Increasing cAMP level
- Activated G protein activates the enzyme adenylate cyclase
- Adenylate cyclase converts ATP to cAMP
- cAMP functions as a second messenger by activating kinase
- Generally cAMP activates kinase that phosphorylate proteins which have an effect on the cell
Phosphodiesterase (PDE)
Inactivate cAMP by converting it to AMP
Effects of cAMP
Metabolic activity of the cell accelerated
Opening of calcium ion channels
- G protein first activates the enzyme phospholipase C (PLC)
- This enzyme triggers a receptor cascade that begins with the production of DAG and IP3 from membrane phospholipids
- IP3 diffuses into the cytoplasm and triggers the release of CA2+ from intracellular reserves
- Combination of DAG and intracellular calcium ions activates protein kinase C (PKC) > phosphorylation of calcium ion channel proteins
- Calmodulin binds with calcium ions which can activate specific cytoplasmic enzymes
Which hormones target intracellular receptors?
Mostly steroid and thyroid hormones
Steroid hormones
Alter the rate of DNA transcription in the nucleus and so change the pattern of protein synthesis
Thyroid hormones
Activate specific genes or change the rate of transcription
Negative feedback
A stimulus triggers the production of a hormone whose direct or indirect effects reduce the intensity of the stimulus
Triggers of hormone secretion
- Humoral stimuli: changes inextracellular fluid
- Hormonal stimuli: arrival of specific hormone
- Neural timuli: arrival of neurotransmitters
Infundibulum
Connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland
3 mechanisms of hypothalamic control over endocrine function
- Production of ADH and OXT > release of ADH and OXT from posterior lobe
- Secretion of regulatory hormones to control activity of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland > hormones secreted by the anterior lobe control other endocrine organs
- Control of sympathetic output to adrenal medulla > secretion of E and NE from adrenal medulla
Adenohypophysis
Anterior lobe of the pituitary gland
3 regions of adenohypophysis
- Pars distalis: largest
- Pars tuberalis: extension
- Pars intermedia: narrow band
Fenestrated capillaries
Allow relatively large molecules to enter or leave the bloodstream
Blood supply to pituitary gland
- Superior hypophyseal artery delivers blood to a capillary network in the upper infundibulum
- Inferior hypophyseal artery delivers blood to the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland
Blood leaving pituitary gland
- Portal vessels deliver blood containing regulatory hormones to the capillary network in the anterior lobe of the pituitary
- Hypophyseal veins carry blood containing the pituitary hormones to the cardiovascular system for delivery to the rest of the body
Portal vessels
Link two capillary networks