The Endocrine Sytem Flashcards
What did Prof. Brown-Sequard do in 1889?
Self-administered 5 injections of dog testicle extract and 5 injections of guinea-pig testicle extract. He claimed that this increased his physical strength, improved his intellectual capacity, and increased his sexual potency
Define Glands
Epithelial tissue derivatives specialised for secreting
Define Secretion
Biochemical release from a particular type of cell upon stimulation
Define Endocrine and give an example
Endo = internal, crine = secretion. Secretions enter the bloodstream from a ductless gland. For example, pancreas releases insulin into the blood
Define exocrine and give an example
Gland with ducts that channel its secretion (exocrine glands have ducts and secrete secretion into local area). For example, salivary gland
Define hormones
Chemical messengers that are secreted into the blood by endocrine glands in response to an appropriate signal, and exerting their effects on target cells that have receptors that bind with the hormone
What are the two classifications of hormones?
Solubility and structure
How are hormones classified based on solubility? Give examples
- Hydrophilic or water soluble. For example, peptides (eg insulin) and catecholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline)
- Lipophilic or lipid soluble. For example, steroids (eg cortisol) and thyroid hormone
How are hormones classified based on their structure? Give examples
- Peptides - chain of specific amino acids
- Amines - derivatives of amino acids, tryptophan or tyrosine (indoleamines, catecholamines, thyroid hormones)
- Steroids - cholesterol derived lipids
Compare how peptide and steroid hormones are produced
Peptide - produced by normal protein synthesis machinery (central dogma)
Steroid - produced by modification of cholesterol molecule by enzymes
Compare how peptide and steroid hormones travel
Peptide - travel in blood in solution
Steroid - travel in blood bound to plasma proteins
Compare how peptide and steroid hormones enter cells
Peptide - cannot enter cells (lipid bilayer cell membrane)
Steroid - enter cells easily
Compare how peptide and steroid hormones interact with receptors
Peptide - bind to cell surface receptor
Steroid - Intracellular receptor
Compare how peptide and steroid hormones cause action
Peptide - trigger event on inside surface of membrane (second messenger system)
Steroid - Act on DNA to alter cell function
Compare the speed of peptide and steroid hormones
Peptide - fast acting
Steroid - slow acting (transcription delay)
Why can contraception and thyroid hormones be taken as pills?
Contraceptive pills and patches contain oestrogen and progesterone which are steroids and can be absorbed through the skin and get into systemic circulation without being broken down in the GI tract.
Thyroid hormones are amines and are not broken down by enzymes in the GI tract and hence can be taken as pills
Why is insulin taken as in injection?
Because insulin is a peptide hormone so should be administered through intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular routes
List the regulatory roles of the endocrine system
- Metabolism, water and electrolyte balance
- Stress response
- Growth and development
- Reproduction
- Red cell production
- Coordination of circulation
- Coordination of digestion
What size is the hypothalamus and pituitary?
Pea size (1cm^2)
How much does the hypothalamus and pituitary weigh?
1g
What are the two lobes of the pituitary?
Anterior and Posterior
What are the connections of the anterior and posterior pituitary?
Anterior = vascular connection
Posterior = neural connection
How is the pituitary connected to the hypothalamus?
Via the pituitary stalk
What is the HPG Axis?
Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Gonad Axis
Hypothalamus -> Anterior Pituitary ->FSH and LH -> Ovary (->oestrogen) Testes (->testosterone)
What is the HPT Axis?
Hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis
Hypothalamus -> Anterior pituitary -> TSH -> Thyroid Gland -> Thyroid hormones
What is the HPA Axis?
Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis
Hypothalamus -> Anterior pituitary -> ACTH -> Adrenal gland -> Adrenocorticosteroids
What are the functions of the hypothalamus?
Control of pituitary hormone release. Interface between events inside and outside the body and their endocrine response
What hormones are involved with the hypothalamus?
Corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH)
Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH)
Somatostatin
Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH)
Growth hormone releasing hormone (GNRH)
Prolactin releasing hormone (PRH)
Prolactin inhibiting factor (dopamine)
What are the functions of the anterior pituitary?
Controls activity of other endocrine glands
Ovulation and pregnancy (females)
Sperm production (males)
Growth
What hormones are involved with the anterior pituitary?
Thyrotropin or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
Adrenocorticotrophic hormones (ACTH)
Luteinising hormone (LH)
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
Growth hormone (GH)
Prolactin
What are the functions of the posterior pituitary?
Involved in regulating overall water balance
Uterine concentration
Ejection of milk
What hormones are involved with the posterior pituitary?
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or vasopressin oxytocin