C10 - Why are hormones important?

Question 1

What is the primary function of hormones in the body?

Answer 1

Hormones are chemical messengers that control key body functions such as heat regulation, stress responses, growth, puberty, pregnancy, and childbirth.

Question 2

What is the difference between the endocrine system and the nervous system in terms of communication?

Answer 2

The endocrine system uses hormones released into the bloodstream, while the nervous system uses nerve impulses.

Question 3

What are the main organs of the endocrine system?

Answer 3

Pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries, testes, pineal gland.

Question 4

What is a hormone?

Answer 4

A hormone is a chemical messenger produced by glands that travels in the bloodstream to target organs.

Question 5

How do hormones work to control homeostasis?

Answer 5

Hormones promote homeostasis by altering the activity of target cells.

Question 6

Describe the process of negative feedback.

Answer 6

Negative feedback is a self-limiting system where increasing levels of a hormone inhibit its own secretion.

Question 7

Provide an example of negative feedback.

Answer 7

The regulation of T3 and T4 secretion via thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).

Question 8

What is positive feedback?

Answer 8

Positive feedback is a process where hormone levels increase in response to a stimulus, leading to further secretion of that hormone.

Question 9

Provide an example of positive feedback.

Answer 9

Oxytocin release during childbirth which increases uterine contractions.

Question 10

What hormones are released from the anterior pituitary?

Answer 10

Growth hormone, prolactin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH).

Question 11

What hormones are released from the posterior pituitary?

Answer 11

Oxytocin and anti-diuretic hormone (ADH).

Question 12

How does the nervous system influence the endocrine system?

Answer 12

The nervous system stimulates endocrine glands through nerve fibers (neural stimulus).

Question 13

What is the role of the hypothalamus in the endocrine system?

Answer 13

The hypothalamus secretes releasing and inhibiting hormones that control the pituitary gland.

Question 14

What are tropic hormones?

Answer 14

Tropic hormones are those that act on other endocrine glands to stimulate hormone production.

Question 15

What are non-tropic hormones?

Answer 15

Non-tropic hormones act directly on target cells to produce effects without stimulating other glands.

Question 16

Fill in the blank: The _______ gland is known as the ‘master gland’ because it regulates other endocrine glands.

Answer 16

pituitary

Question 17

What is the endocrine system’s role in metabolism?

Answer 17

It helps maintain metabolism, electrolyte, nutrient, and water balance.

Question 18

What are the three categories of chemical messengers?

Answer 18

• Endocrine: Can affect distant organs with the correct receptors
• Paracrine: Regionally active
• Autocrine: Within a cell, from cell to neighboring cell

Question 19

What is adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease)?

Answer 19

A condition caused by underactive adrenal glands resulting in too little cortisol and sometimes aldosterone.

Question 20

What are the symptoms of Cushing’s disease?

Answer 20

Weight gain, fatty tissue deposits, rounded face, thicker body hair, slow healing from infection, blood pressure problems.

Question 21

What is the relationship between endocrine disorders and hormone levels?

Answer 21

Endocrine disorders can result from hormonal imbalances due to dysfunction in glands or feedback loops.

Question 22

How are hormone imbalances typically diagnosed?

Answer 22

Through blood tests that measure hormone levels.

Question 23

What is Adrenal Insufficiency also known as?

Answer 23

Addison’s disease

Addison’s disease is characterized by underactive adrenal glands.

Question 24

Which glands are affected in Adrenal Insufficiency?

Answer 24

Adrenal glands (cortex)

Specifically the adrenal cortex is underactive.

Question 25

What hormones are affected in Adrenal Insufficiency?

Answer 25

Too little cortisol and sometimes too little aldosterone ## Footnote Cortisol and aldosterone are crucial for various bodily functions.

Question 26

What are the systemic effects of Adrenal Insufficiency?

Answer 26

Fatigue, muscle weakness, stress, loss of appetite, weight loss, blood pressure problems ## Footnote These symptoms can significantly impact daily life.

Question 27

What is Cushing’s Disease characterized by?

Answer 27

Overactive adrenal gland ## Footnote It results in excessive cortisol production.

Question 28

What hormones are affected in Cushing’s Disease?

Answer 28

Too much cortisol and sometimes too much aldosterone ## Footnote This hormonal imbalance leads to various symptoms.

Question 29

What are the systemic effects of Cushing’s Disease?

Answer 29

Weight gain, fatty tissue deposits, rounded face, thicker body hair, slow healing from infection, blood pressure problems ## Footnote These effects can vary in severity among individuals.

Question 30

What causes Gigantism (Acromegaly)?

Answer 30

Overactive anterior pituitary gland due to a tumor ## Footnote The tumor affects the secretion of Growth Hormone.

Question 31

What hormone is affected in Gigantism (Acromegaly)?

Answer 31

Too much Growth Hormone ## Footnote Excessive Growth Hormone leads to abnormal growth.

Question 32

What are the systemic effects of Gigantism (Acromegaly)?

Answer 32

Bones and body parts grow very fast; individuals are very tall ## Footnote This condition results in abnormal physical development.

Question 33

What is Hyperthyroidism also known as?

Answer 33

Grave’s disease ## Footnote It is an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid.

Question 34

Which gland is affected in Hyperthyroidism?

Answer 34

Thyroid ## Footnote The thyroid gland regulates metabolism and energy levels.

Question 35

What hormone is affected in Hyperthyroidism?

Answer 35

Too much thyroid hormone ## Footnote This increase can lead to various health issues.

Question 36

What are the systemic effects of Hyperthyroidism?

Answer 36

Fast heart rate, sweating, high body temp, anxiety, weight loss, sexual dysfunction ## Footnote Symptoms can significantly affect quality of life.

Question 37

What is Type 1 Diabetes also known as?

Answer 37

Juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes ## Footnote It typically develops in childhood or adolescence.

Question 38

Which organ is affected in Type 1 Diabetes?

Answer 38

Pancreas (Islets of Langerhans) ## Footnote The Islets of Langerhans are responsible for insulin production.

Question 39

What hormone is affected in Type 1 Diabetes?

Answer 39

Not enough insulin produced ## Footnote Insulin is crucial for glucose metabolism.

Question 40

What are the systemic effects of Type 1 Diabetes?

Answer 40

Sugar does not enter cells, leading to thirst, urination, weight loss, fatigue, less ATP made from glucose ## Footnote This results in hyperglycemia and energy depletion.

Question 41

What is Hypothyroidism characterized by?

Answer 41

Not enough thyroid hormone produced ## Footnote This condition leads to a slowdown in metabolism.

Question 42

Which gland is affected in Hypothyroidism?

Answer 42

Thyroid ## Footnote The thyroid's function is vital for metabolic regulation.

Question 43

What are the systemic effects of Hypothyroidism?

Answer 43

Fatigue, slow metabolism, poor digestion, slow pediatric development, poor heat regulation ## Footnote These symptoms can severely impact overall health.

Question 44

What causes Precocious puberty?

Answer 44

Heightened sex hormones (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone) early in life ## Footnote This condition leads to early sexual maturity.

Question 45

Which organs are affected in Precocious puberty?

Answer 45

Gonads (testes and ovaries) ## Footnote The gonads are responsible for producing sex hormones.

Question 46

What are the systemic effects of Precocious puberty?

Answer 46

Early puberty and early physical changes leading to early sexual maturity ## Footnote This can have psychological and social implications for affected individuals.