Thyroid Gland Flashcards
What cells of the thyroid produce T3 and T4?
Follicular cells
What is thyrocalcitonin also known as?
Calcitonin
What cells of the thyroid produce calcitonin?
Parafollicular cells
Outline the synthesis of T3 and T4.
- Iodide trapping
- Synthesis of thyroglobulin
- Oxidation of iodide
- Iodination of thyroglobulin
- Coupling of T1 and T2 to form T3 and T4
- Digestion of colloid.
- Secretion of thyroid hormones into blood
- Transport of T3 and T4 in the blood by TBG
Explain iodide trapping.
Thyroid follicular cells trap iodide ions by tansporting them from the blood into their cytosol.
Where is thyroglobulin synthesised?
Follicular cells in the thyroid
Explain the iodination of thyroglobulin.
Iodine atoms bind to tyrosine on thyroglobulin producing T1 and T2.
Where is T4 converted to T3?
In the kidneys and liver
What is thyroglobulin known as once it has bound to one or two iodine atoms?
Colloid
Explain the digestion of colloid.
Digestive enzymes breakdown thyroglobulin cleaving off T3 and T4 .
How are T3 and T4 secreted?
They are secreted in response to TSH. They are lipid soluble molecules and so can diffuse through the plasma membrane into the blood.
How are T3 and T4 transported in the blood?
T3 and T4 are transported in the blood by the transport protein TBG (thyroxine binding globulin).
What is TBG?
Thyroxine binding globulin
What is TGB?
Thyroglobulin
How do the concentration of T3 and T4 in the blood differ?
Much more T4 is present in the body, however T3 is much more potent.