Endocrine system

Question 1

How do the endocrine and nervous system work together? Differences?

Answer 1

They serve as complementary communication systems within the body:
* The endocrine system, like the nervous sytem, induces responses to stimuli, albeit with a slower, sustained response as they travel through the blood (e.g. regulation of sleep, menstrual regulation)
* Endocrine system’s response time is limited by hormone diffusion rates, and the speed at which it circulates throughout the body
* By contrast, electrochemical signals of the nervous system are almost instantaneous but short-lived, i.e. not sustained.

Question 2

What are hormones? give examples and types

Answer 2

Hormones are classes of molecules that act (bind) upon cells to produce a response. Very small quantities are needed.

Target cells, cells with receptor proteins specialized to bind to hormones, can respond to hormones

2 types:
* water soluble: hydrophilic, therefore cant cross cell membranes to impact it inside. Instead binds to membranal receptors, triggering a chemical cascade to induce a response. often proteins/amino acids.

• fat soluble: hydrophobic, can cross cell and nuclear membranes. Bind to intracellular receptors, then bind to DNA at promoters to serve as transcription factors for target genes, and consequently produce target proteins. lipids, based on cholesterol.

Question 3

pituitary gland, compare and contrast the lobes

Answer 3

composed of two lobes:
* posterior pituitary
* anterior pituitary

regulatory hormones released can start a domino effect to induce the production of other important hormones, released through the glands of the anterior pituitary gland

Question 4

Melatonin

Answer 4

regulates body clock
released from the pineal gland

Question 5

thyroxine, triodothyronine,

Answer 5

regulates weight and energy levels
released from the thyroid gland

Question 6

insulin, glucagon

Answer 6

insulin decreases blood sugar levels, glucagon increases blood sugar

secreted from the pancreas

Question 7

aldosterone

Answer 7

regulates salt/increases blood pressure
secreted from adrenal cortex

Question 8

Leptin

Answer 8

increases appetite, correlates with hunger : more leptin = more appetite
secreted by any fat cell in body and adipose tissue

Question 9

testosterone (androgens)

Answer 9

secreted by testes
regulate libido and sperm production

Question 10

estrogen

Answer 10

secreted by ovaries
regulates growth and development of human reproductive system

Question 11

ADH, antidiuretic hormone
oxytocin

Answer 11

water retention in kidneys

lactation, and contracts uterus inducing childbirth

both released through posterior pituitary

Question 12

regulatory hormones

Answer 12

stimulate/inhibit hormone development of specific hormones within the anterior pituitary

Question 13

name 6 hormones released/produced by the anterior pituitary

Answer 13

• ACTH, adrenocortisotropic hormone
• TSH, thyroid stimulating hormone
• GH, growth hormone
• PRL, prolactin
• FSH, follicle stimulating hormone
• LH, luteinizing hormone

Question 14

testes determining factor

Answer 14

indicates male sex determination

Question 15

luteinizing hormone

Answer 15

controls menstrual cycle

Question 16

follicle stimulating hormone

Answer 16

controls the menstrual cycle

Question 17

tropic vs non-tropic hormones w examples

Answer 17

non-tropic targets directly, e.g. cortisol on bone cells

tropic affects other endocrine glands eg TSH

Question 18

progesterone

Answer 18

prepares endometrium for fertilized egg implantation