3. Endocrine System Flashcards
mechanism that intensifies a change in the body’s physiological condition in response to a stimulus
Positive feedback
tissue or organ that secretes hormones into the blood and lymph without ducts such that they may be transported to organs distant from the site of secretion
Endocrine gland
protein within a cell or on the cell membrane that binds a hormone, initiating the target cell response
Hormone receptor
cells, tissues, and organs that secrete hormones as a primary or secondary function and play an integral role in normal bodily processes
Endocrine system
homeostatic mechanism that tends to stabilize an upset in the body’s physiological condition by preventing an excessive response to a stimulus, typically as the stimulus is removed
Negative feedback
secretion of an endocrine organ that travels via the bloodstream or lymphatics to induce a response in target cells or tissues in another part of the body
Hormone
molecule that initiates a signaling cascade in response to hormone binding on a cell membrane receptor and activation of an intracellular protein
Second messenger
hormone that binds to a cell membrane hormone receptor and triggers activation of a second messenger system
Primary messenger
endocrine gland that secretes melatonin, which is important in regulating the sleep-wake cycle
Pineal gland
outer region of the adrenal glands
Adrenal cortex
large endocrine gland responsible for the synthesis of thyroid hormones
Thyroid gland
bean-sized organ suspended from the hypothalamus that produces, stores, and secretes hormones in response to hypothalamic stimulation
Pituitary gland
inner layer of the adrenal glands that plays an important role in the stress response by producing epinephrine and norepinephrine
adrenal medulla
hormones that regulate the function of the gonads
Gonadotropins
small, round glands embedded in the posterior thyroid gland that produce parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Parathyroid glands
endocrine glands located at the top of each kidney that are important for the regulation of the stress response, blood pressure and blood volume, water homeostasis, and electrolyte levels
Adrenal glands
