Endocrine Disorders + Homeostasis Flashcards
(31 cards)
What causes Type 1 Diabetes and how does it affect the body?
Type 1 Diabetes is caused by an autoimmune response where the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This results in insufficient insulin production, leading to elevated blood glucose levels, frequent urination, excessive thirst, and fatigue.
What are the symptoms and treatments for Type 1 Diabetes?
Symptoms include extreme thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, blurry vision, and fatigue. Treatment involves insulin therapy, regular blood glucose monitoring, a balanced diet, and exercise. Insulin is typically administered via injections or an insulin pump.
What causes Type 2 Diabetes and how does it affect the body?
Type 2 Diabetes is mainly caused by insulin resistance, where the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin. Over time, the pancreas can’t produce enough insulin to overcome this resistance. Symptoms include fatigue, excessive thirst, frequent urination, and blurry vision.
What are the symptoms and treatments for Type 2 Diabetes?
Symptoms include fatigue, increased thirst, frequent urination, and slow healing of wounds. Treatment includes lifestyle changes (diet, exercise), oral medications (e.g., metformin), and sometimes insulin injections if the condition worsens.
What is hyperthyroidism, and what are its causes?
Hyperthyroidism is an overproduction of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), speeding up the body’s metabolism. Common causes include Graves’ disease (an autoimmune disorder), thyroid nodules, and thyroiditis.
What are the symptoms and treatments for hyperthyroidism?
Symptoms include weight loss, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), heat intolerance, anxiety, and tremors. Treatment options include antithyroid medications (e.g., methimazole), radioactive iodine therapy, or thyroidectomy (removal of part or all of the thyroid).
What is hypothyroidism, and what are its causes?
Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid underproduces hormones, slowing down metabolism. Causes include autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, iodine deficiency, or damage to the thyroid gland.
What are the symptoms and treatments for hypothyroidism?
Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, and dry skin. Treatment typically involves hormone replacement therapy with synthetic thyroid hormones (e.g., levothyroxine).
What is homeostasis?
Homeostasis is the process by which the body maintains a stable internal environment, such as temperature, blood pH, and glucose levels, despite external changes. This ensures the body’s cells and organs function optimally.
What is an example of homeostasis in the body?
Thermoregulation is a key example. The body maintains a core temperature of about 37°C (98.6°F). In hot weather, the body sweats and dilates blood vessels to release heat, while in cold weather, it shivers and constricts blood vessels to conserve heat.
How does the body regulate temperature in hot conditions?
In hot conditions, the body activates sweating (to cool the body via evaporation), and blood vessels dilate (vasodilation) to allow more blood to flow near the skin’s surface, facilitating heat loss.
How does the body regulate temperature in cold conditions?
In cold conditions, the body conserves heat by constricting blood vessels (vasoconstriction), which reduces blood flow to the skin and extremities, minimizing heat loss. Additionally, the body shivers to generate heat through muscle activity.
What are the components of a negative feedback loop?
Receptor: Detects a change in the internal environment.
Control Center: Processes the information and determines the appropriate response.
Effector: Carries out the response to return the body to its optimal state.
How does the body regulate blood glucose levels?
When blood glucose levels are high (after eating), the pancreas releases insulin, which helps cells absorb glucose. When blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas releases glucagon, signaling the liver to release stored glucose into the blood.
What is the role of insulin in blood glucose regulation?
Insulin lowers blood glucose levels by promoting the uptake of glucose into cells for energy or storage as glycogen in the liver and muscles.
What is the role of glucagon in blood glucose regulation?
Glucagon raises blood glucose levels by stimulating the liver to convert glycogen into glucose and release it into the bloodstream.
What is the purpose of a negative feedback loop in homeostasis?
The purpose is to maintain internal balance (homeostasis). It counteracts any changes from the body’s set point, bringing the system back to equilibrium. For example, temperature regulation works through negative feedback by activating cooling mechanisms when the body becomes too hot.
How does a negative feedback loop work in blood glucose regulation?
When blood glucose rises, the pancreas releases insulin to help cells absorb glucose, lowering blood sugar. If blood sugar falls too low, glucagon is released to stimulate the liver to release stored glucose, raising blood sugar to normal levels.
What is the response in a negative feedback loop when body temperature rises?
The hypothalamus detects the increase in body temperature and activates mechanisms like sweating (evaporation) and vasodilation (widening blood vessels) to release heat and cool the body.
What happens in a negative feedback loop when body temperature drops?
The hypothalamus detects the decrease in temperature and activates mechanisms like shivering (to generate heat) and vasoconstriction (narrowing blood vessels) to conserve heat.
How does the body regulate blood glucose after eating a meal?
After a meal, blood glucose levels rise. The pancreas releases insulin to help cells absorb glucose from the blood and store it as glycogen in the liver and muscles, lowering blood glucose levels back to normal.
What role does the liver play in blood glucose regulation?
The liver stores glucose as glycogen when blood sugar levels are high and releases glucose when levels drop too low, converting glycogen back into glucose.
What happens when insulin is deficient or ineffective (as in diabetes)?
When insulin is deficient (Type 1) or ineffective (Type 2), glucose cannot enter cells efficiently, leading to high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). This can cause symptoms like excessive thirst, urination, and fatigue.
How does the body regulate blood glucose when it’s too low?
When blood glucose levels are low, the pancreas releases glucagon, which signals the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream, raising blood glucose levels.
