Topic 7 Flashcards
What are hormones?
Chemical messengers sent in the blood
Where are hormones produced?
endocrine glands
Where are hormones transported to?
To their target organs
Describe the function of the pituitary gland?
It produces many hormones that regulate body conditions. Sometimes called the master gland because these hormones act on other glands, directing them to release hormones that bring about change
Describe the function of the ovaries? (females)
Produces oestregen. which is involved in the menstrual cycle
Describe the function of the testes? (males)
Produces testosterone, which controls puberty and sperm production in males
Describe the function of the thyroid gland?
Produced thyroxine, which is involved in regulating things like the rate of metabolism, heart rate and temperature
Describe the function of the adrenal glands
Produces adrenaline, which is used to prepare the body for a ‘flight or fight’ response
Describe the function of the pancreas
Produces insulin, which is used to regulate the blood glucose level
What’s the different between neurones and hormones
For neurones: - very fast action
- act for a very short time
- act on a very precise area
For hormones: - slower action
- act for a long time
- act in a more general way
Describe how adrenaline prepares you for ‘fight or flight’
- Adrenaline binds to specific receptors in heart, causing heart muscle to contract more frequently & with more force, so heart rate and blood pressure increase
- This increases blood flow to muscles, so cells recieve more oxygen and glucose for increased respiration
- Adrenaline also binds to liver receptors, causing liver to break down glycogen stores to release glucose
- This increases blood glucose level, so theres more glucose in blood to be transported to the cells
Why is it important for adrenaline to increase the supply of oxygen and glucose to the cells?
This gets us ready for ‘fight or flight’
What is ‘preparing for fight or flight?’
Standing our ground in the face of a threat
Describe how thyroxine regulates metabolism
- When blood thyroxine level is lower than normal, hypothalamus(brain) is stimulated to release TRH
- TRH stimulates pituitary gland to release TSH
- TSH stimulates thyroid gland to release thyroxine so the blood thyroxine level rises back to normal
- When blood thyroxine level is higher than normal, release of TRH from hypothalamus in inhibited, which reduces the production of TSH, so blood throxine level falls
Describe the menstrual cycle (4 stages)
Stage 1 - menstruation starts: lining of uterus breaks down and is released
Stage 2 - Uterus lining is repaired, from day 4 to 14, until it becomes a thick spongy layer full of blood vessels ready for a fertilised egg to implant there
Stage 3 - Egg develops and is released from the ovary (ovulation) at about day 14
Stage 4 - Lining is maintained for about 14 days, until day 28. If no fertilised egg has landed on the uterus wall by day 28, the cycle starts again
What four hormones control the menstrual cycle
- Oestregen
- Progesterone
- Follicle-stimulating hormone
- Luteinising hormone
State 3 facts about FSH
- Released by the pituitary gland
- Causes a follicle (an egg and its surrounding cells) to mature in one of the ovaries
- Stimulates oestrogen production
State 3 facts about Oestrogen
- Released by the ovaries
- Causes the lining of the the uterus to thicken and grow
- A high level stimulates an LH surge
State 3 facts about LH
- Released by the pituitary gland
- the LH surge stimulates ovulation at day 14 - the follicle ruptures and the egg is released
- Stimulates the remains of the follicle to develop into a structure called a corpus luteum - which secretes progesterone
State 5 facts about progesterone
- released by the corpus luteum after ovulation
- Maintains the lining of the uterus
- Inhibits the release of FSH and LH
- When the level of progesterone falls, and theres a low oestrogen level, the uterus lining breaks down
- A low progesterone level allows FSH to increase, and then the whole cycle starts over
How does clomifene therapy work?
Some women are infertile because they dont ovulate/ dont ovulate regularly. They can take a drug called clomifene, this causes more FSH and LH to be released in the body to stimulate egg maturation and ovulation. By knowing when the woman will be ovulating, couple can have intercouse during this time period to improve chance of being pregnant
How does IVF work?
Works by collecting eggs from a womans ovaries and fertilising them in a lab with a mans sperm till they grow into embryos. Once embryos are tiny balls of cells, they are transferred to womans uterus. FSH and LH are given before egg collection to stimulate egg production (so more than one egg can be collected)
How can oestrogen act as a contraceptive?
If oestrogen is taken every day to keep the level of it permanently high, it inhibits the production of FSH, and after a while egg development and production stop and stay stopped
How can progesterone be used as a contraceptive?
It can stimulate the production of thick cervical mucus, which prevents any sperm getting through the entrance to the uterus (the cervix) and reaching an egg
How can the combined pill/contraceptive patch and the mini pill/contraceptive injection be used as a contraceptive?
The combined pill/contraceptive patch both contain oestrogen and progesterone.
The mini pill/contraceptive injection both contain progesterone
What are barrier methods and give 2 examples?
These are methods to stop the sperm from getting to the egg. e.g. condoms and diaphragms
What are pros of hormonal contraceptive methods as opposed to barrier methods?
- They are more effective in preventing pregnancy
2. A couple doesnt have to stop and think about contraception each time they have intercourse (like barrier methods)
What are cons of hormonal contraceptive methods as opposed to barrier methods?
- They can have unpleasant side effects, such as headaches, acne, and mood changes.
- They dont protect against STI’s whilst condoms (barrier method) do
Define homeostasis
Maintaining a constant internal environment