endocrine system

Question 1

what is the endocrine system used for

Answer 1

to coordinate body responses

Question 2

what is a gland

Answer 2

a structure that secretes substances

Question 3

what are the two types of glands

Answer 3

endocrine and exocrine

Question 4

what are exocrine glands

Answer 4

these glands release their product into ducts or tubes

Question 5

what are endocrine glands

Answer 5

are ductless glands and produce hormones that are released into the bloodstream

Question 6

why do endocrine glands have a rich supply of capillaries

Answer 6

they secrete hormones into the blood through capillaries

Question 7

what biomolecule makes up hormones

Answer 7

proteins

Question 8

what is a hormone

Answer 8

it is a chemical messenger produced by an endocrine gland and carried by the bloodstream to another part of the body and where it has a specific purpose

Question 9

what is a steroid

Answer 9

a form of lipid

Question 10

what other biomolecle can hormones be made of

Answer 10

lipids in the form of steroids

Question 11

name 4 main endocrine glands

Answer 11

pituitary, hypothalmus, pineal, thyroid

Question 12

write a short note on the pituitary gland

Answer 12

often called master gland… produces a rane of hormones that regulate other endocrine glands. produces FSH, LH and GH.

Question 13

what does GH (growth hormone) do

Answer 13

causes body cells to absorb amino acids and form proteins which causes growth and elongation of bones

Question 14

write short note on the hypothalamus

Answer 14

this gland link the nervous and endcrine systems. it secretes a hormone that controls the pituitary gland in reponse to messanges from the brain. it produces the hormone anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) which is stores in the pituitary and released when needed.

Question 15

what does ADH do

Answer 15

it causes water to be reabsorbed in the kidneys- osmoregulation

Question 16

write a short note on the pineal

Answer 16

is a tiny gland located in the brain. it produces many hormones such as melatonin which is produced mainly when we sleep

Question 17

what is the function of melatonin

Answer 17

the funtion is not fully known but it is involved in ovulation, sleep and activity patterns

Question 18

write a short note on the thyroid gland

Answer 18

a H shaped gland located on the trachea. produces thyroxine which is made from a combination of the amino acid tyrosine and iodine. thyroxine controls the rate of all the body’s reactions (metabolism)

Question 19

what are the symptoms associated with thyoxine deficiency

Answer 19

symptoms- low metabolic rates and slowed mental + physical development = disease called cretinism in children. in adults reduced metabolic rate = tiredness, lack of energy, weight gains collectively known as myxoedema. thyroid gland can also swell- called goitre

Question 20

what are corrective measures that can be taken to treat thyroxine deficiency

Answer 20

new borns get the heel test, thyroxine can be administered to prevent cretinism. in adults thyroxine tablets or iodine can be taken to prevent myxoedema

Question 21

what are the symptoms of thyroxine excess

Answer 21

increased metabolic rate, bulgine eyes, hunger, loss of weight, anxiety. known as grave’s disease

Question 22

what corrective measures can be taken to treat thyroxine excess

Answer 22

surgically removing part of the thyroid or by killing part of the gland usin radioactive iodine

Question 23

what happens when there is a normal concentration of thyroxine

Answer 23

inhibits the pituitary from releasing TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) meaning no further thyroxine is made

Question 24

what happens when there is a low concentration of thyroxine

Answer 24

pituitary produces TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) causing more thyroxine to be made until concentration returns to normal

Question 25

explain goitre

Answer 25

enlargement of the thyroid gland which indicates underproduction of thyroxine, usually caused by lack of iodine in the diet. TSH combines with iodine in the thyroid to produce thyroxine.if this cannot happen due to iodine shortage then TSH is stored in the thyroid causing it to swell. can be treated by increasing iodine intake

Question 26

what are parathyroids

Answer 26

4 glands embedded in the thhyroid gland. they make parathormone which stimulates the release of calcium from bones into blood plasma

Question 27

what is the thymus gland

Answer 27

has two lobes located behind the breastbone in the upper chest. produces thymosin which causes lymphocytes to mature and become active

Question 28

what are adrenals

Answer 28

two glands located on top of the kidneys that produce hormones that help the body cope with stress- adrenaline, which is produced when we are in an emergency and affects the body to help us to respond more efficiently to stress

Question 29

write a short note on the pancreas

Answer 29

it is a dual functioning gland meaning it has an exocrine and an endocrine function. its exocrine funtion is to produce enzymes which flow to the duodenum through ducts. its endocrine function is to produce insulin by these cells called islets of langerhans (are a tissue) and are transported by the blood

Question 30

write a short note on the funtion of insulin

Answer 30

vital hormone that reduces blood glucose which is absorbed into muscle and fat cells. the absorbed glucose is either used in respiration or converted to glycogen to be stored in liver and muscles

Question 31

what occurs when there is low insulin in the body

Answer 31

diabetes may from as a result of low insulin production it an inability of cells to take up insulin. in young people it is generally caused by the faiure of the islets of Langerhans to work properly

Question 32

what are the symptoms of diabetes

Answer 32

high glucose concentration in blood + urine, production of large amounts of urine, severe thirst, loss of weight, tiredness

Question 33

how may diabetes be treated

Answer 33

regular insulin injections

Question 34

why can’t insulin be taken into the digestive system

Answer 34

it is a protein and would be broken down by digestive enzymes

Question 35

write a short note on anabolic steroids

Answer 35

drugs that build up protein or muscle and are similar to the mle sex hormone testosterone. they speed up muscle recovery after an injury and help strengthen bonds. they have been widely abused in sports and are now illegal. risk of abusing these incllude liver and adrenal gland damage + infertility.