Endocrine System Flashcards
Name the major endocrine organs
- Hypothalamus
- Pituitary gland
- Pineal gland
- Thyroid gland
- Adrenal gland
- Pancreas
- Ovaries and testes
Describe circulating and local hormones
Local -> become active without entering the bloodstream, act locally (cell that secreted them or neighboring cells)
Circulating -> hormones enter the bloodstream (transported to target cells)
How are circulating hormones regulated?
Negative feedback mechanism -> a stimulus causes an opposite output in order to maintain an ideal level of whatever is being regulated
Signals: nervous system (adrenalin), chemical changes in blood (insulin), other hormones (GH)
What is a positive feedback mechanism?
The opposite of a NFM and is designed to accelerate the output of a stimulus (ex. Oxytocin in childbirth)
Describe the relationship between the hypothalamus and pituitary gland
Hypothalamus: maintains homeostasis
Pituitary gland (a): releases hormones (GH) and is controlled by the hyp.t
Pituitary gland (p): stores hormones created by the hyp.t such as oxytocin and ADH
What is homeostasis?
The body’s attempt to adjest to a fluctuating environment (maintaining a balance)
Compare the nervous and endocrine systems
Nervous -> electrical impulses and neurotransmitters, local and specific, reacts quickly, adapt quickly
Endocrine -> communicate via hormones, sometimes has a general and widespread effect, reacts slowly, adapts slowly
Give three examples of local hormones
Glucagon (increases blood glucose levels), serotonin (cognitive processes), neurotensin (neurotransmittion)
Give three exsmaple of circulating hormones
Insulin (regulates blood sugar levels), GH (human growth), oxytocin (contraction of the uterus), adrenalin, testosterone
Name 2 PPG hormones
Oxytocin (contraction of the uterus), antidiuretic hormone (causes the kidneys to release less water)
Name 2 APG hormones
GH (human growth), TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
Describe the function of the pineal gland
Produces melatonin (stimulated by darkness and inhibited by light)
What is the function of the thyroid gland?
It controls how quickly the body uses energy (rate of metabolism) using T3 and T4, calcium homeostasis (calcitonin)
What is the function of the parathyroid gland?
Maintain the body’s calcium level, secreting PTH to raise blood calcium levels
What is the function of the adrenal glands?
Kidney function, fight or flight, metabolism, sex (release epipherine/EPN adrenaline and norepipherine/NE adrenaline for the short term stress response and cortisol for the long term stress response)
