Topic Two: Endocrine Function Revision Flashcards
Define ‘Endocrine system’
- Second control system (after nervous system)
- Influences cell metabolic activity by means of hormones
- Contains endocrine glands - secrete hormones into blood stream/interstitial fluid
What are hormones?
Hormones are specialised chemical messengers that act to alter the activity of its target cell.
Every cell in the body contains receptors to some or many hormones.
What are endocrine glands?
Glands that secrete their chemical messengers into the bloodstream
What are exocrine glands?
Secrete their secretions by way of a duct onto an epithelial surface (skin, mucosa of digestive tract)
Can some organs be exocrine and endocrine?
Yes - the pancreas is.
How does communication differ between endocrine and nervous systems?
Endocrine - communicates only via chemicals (hormones)
Nervous - electrical and chemical means (action potentials and neurotransmitters)
How does distribution differ between endocrine and nervous systems?
Endocrine - more widespread
Nervous - Relatively local, specific effects
How does reaction to stimuli differ between endocrine and nervous systems?
Endocrine - reacts more slowly to stimuli and may continue responding long after stimulation stops.
Nervous - Responds in a few milliseconds and stops responding almost immediately once stimulation stops
What are some similarities of the endocrine and nervous systems?
- Chemicals act both as neurotransmitters and hormones e.g. noradrenalin & dopamine
- Both act as receptors
- neuroendocrine cells - indicating a close association between the two systems as these modified neuronal cells release their hormones (adrenaline & oxytocin) into the blood stream
- Hormones and neurotransmitters produce overlapping effects on same organ (e.g. glucagon & norepinephrine - both stimulate liver to break down glycogen)
What is the MOA for autocrine agents?
Autocrine act on the cell that secreted it
What is the MOA for paracrine agents?
Paracrine act on adjacent cells
What is the MOA of endocrine agents?
Endocrine agents:
- Secreted into the blood and act on distant target cells
- Also known as hormones
- Act to maintain homeostasis using feedback loops
Functionally classify hormones.
Trophic hormones: Hormones that target other endocrine glands and stimulate their growth and secretion
Sex hormones - Target reproductive tissues
Anabolic hormones - stimulate anabolism in their target cells.
Chemically classify hormones.
Steroid hormones
Non steroid hormones:
- Amino acid derivatives
- Peptides/proteins/glycoproteins
Name some steroid hormones:
Cortisol (hydro cortisol) Aldosterone Oestrogen Progesterone Testosterone