Endocrine System Flashcards
Exam 1
Endocrine System
system of glands secreting hormones into the blood stream
What are the types of glands?
Endocrine gland: without duct, secretes hormones into blood
Exocrine gland: has duct for non-hormonal secretion
Gland
specialized group of cells capable of producing and secreting its substances into the blood stream or to the outside
Hormone
chemical messengers that are released by cells and transported in the blood stream to alter activities of specific cells and other tissue
Diffusion
movement of particles from higher to lower concentration
Negative Feedback Systems
Control hormone levels by inhibiting further release when target hormones are affected
Humoral Stimuli
caused by altered levels of critical ions or nutrients
Ex: declining blood Ca2+ concentration stimulates parathyroid glands to secrete PTH
Neural Stimuli
Stimulate hormone release through neural input
Ex: sympathetic nervous system fibers stimulate adrenal medulla to secrete catecholamines
Hormonal Stimuli
caused by another hormone (tropic hormones)
Ex: hypothalamic hormones stimulate release of most anterior pituitary hormones
Nervous System Modulation
Ability of the nervous system to make adjustments to hormone levels and override normal endocrine controls
Ex: under severe stress
Cyclic AMP Signaling
Hormone binds to receptor, activates G protein, leading to protein kinase (enzyme) activation
PIP2-calcium signaling
Hormone-activated G protein splits membrane protein into second messengers, leading to Ca2+ release
cGMP
Second messenger for selected hormones
Intracellular Receptors
bind with lipid-soluble hormones, initiate DNA transcription
mRNA
produced from DNA transcription, translated into specific proteins
Target Cell Specificity
cells must have specific receptors for hormone binding
ACTH Receptors
found only on certain cells of adrenal cortex
Thyroxin receptors
found on nearly all cells of the body
Target Cell Activation
depend on blood hormone levels, receptor numbers, and binding strength
Up-regulation
target cells form more receptors in response to low hormone levels
Down-regulation
Target cells lose receptors in response to high hormone levels
Half-Life of Hormone
time for hormone blood level to decrease by half
Hormone Removal
can be removed from blood by degrading enzymes, kidneys, or liver
Dermis
layer of skin, avascular with blood in epidermis via diffusion