Chapter 17: Endocrine Flashcards
What are the 4 principal mechanisms of communication between cells?
1) Gap junctions
2) Neurotransmitters
3) Paracrines
4) Hormones
Define gap junctions
Allow molecules, nutrients, and electrolytes to move from cell to cell
Neurotransmitters are released from ________ neurons to ______ neurons
presynaptic; postsynaptic
Define paracrines
Secreted into tissue fluids to affect nearby cells
Define hormones
Chemical messengers that travel in the bloodstream to other tissues and organs
Define endocrine system and endocrinology
-The endocrine system is the glands, tissues, and cells that secrete hormones
-Endocrinology is the study of this system and the diagnosis and treatment of its disorders
What type of glands have ducts, and which don’t?
Exocrine glands have ducts, endocrine glands don’t
Describe exocrine and endocrine glands
1) Exocrine glands
-Have ducts to epithelial surface or mucosa
-“External secretions” with extracellular effects (food digestion)
2) Endocrine glands
-No ducts
-Contain dense, fenestrated capillary networks for easy uptake of hormones into bloodstream
-“Internal secretions” with intracellular effects such as altering target cell metabolism
What contains dense, fenestrated capillary networks for easy uptake of hormones into bloodstream?
Endocrine glands
What do the nervous and endocrine systems have in common?
Both systems serve for internal communication
Describe the difference in speed and persistence of response between the nervous and endocrine systems
Nervous: reacts quickly (ms timescale), stops quickly
Endocrine: reacts slowly (seconds or days), effect may continue for days or longer
Describe the difference in adaptation to long-term stimuli between the nervous and endocrine systems
Nervous: response declines (adapts quickly)
Endocrine: response persists (adapts slowly)
Describe the differences in areas of affect in the nervous and endocrine systems
Nervous: targeted and specific (one organ)
Endocrine: general, widespread effects (many organs)
Several chemicals function as both hormones and neurotransmitters; give 3 examples
Norepinephrine, dopamine, and antidiuretic hormone
Give an example of the nervous and endocrine systems having a similar effect on target cells
Norepinephrine and glucagon both cause glycogen hydrolysis in liver
Describe how the nervous and endocrine systems can regulate each other
Neurotransmitters can affect glands, and hormones can affect neurons
_________ cells share characteristics with both the nervous and endocrine systems
Neuroendocrine
What do both the nervous and endocrine systems require?
Both systems require receptors
Describe what part of the nervous system requires receptors and what part of the endocrine system requires receptors
1) Nervous system: Postsynaptic neuron requires receptors
2) Endocrine system: Target organs or cells must have receptors for a particular hormone; some target cells possess enzymes that convert a circulating hormone to its more active form
What forms the floor and walls of third ventricle of brain?
The hypothalamus
What does the hypothalamus do?
Regulates primitive functions: water balance, thermoregulation, sex drive, childbirth, etc.
The pituitary gland is suspended from __________ by a stalk called the infundibulum
hypothalamus
Describe the two parts of the pituitary gland
Adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary)
Neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary)
True or false: The anterior and posterior pituitary have independent origins and separate functions
True