Endocrine System Flashcards
(28 cards)
What are the three main components of the homeostasis cycle and what do they do?
Receptor detects a stimulus
What is the difference between positive and negative feedback?
Negative feedback reverses a change to maintain balance; positive feedback amplifies a change. Positive feedback is less common because it’s more unstable.
How does the hypothalamus regulate body temperature?
It controls thermoregulation through sweating
What causes a fever in the body?
Pyrogens trigger the hypothalamus to raise the body’s set temperature
What is the role of the endocrine system?
It involves glands that release hormones to regulate body processes.
Where are the major endocrine glands located?
Brain: hypothalamus & pituitary; Throat: thyroid & thymus; Torso: pancreas & adrenal; Reproductive: placenta
Which gland releases oxytocin and what is its function?
Hypothalamus via pituitary; causes contractions during labor and bonding.
Which hormone is linked to mood and what releases it?
Serotonin; mostly produced in the gut and brainstem.
What are LH and FSH and where are they produced?
Luteinizing hormone & Follicle-stimulating hormone from the pituitary; they control reproductive processes. LH promotes the production of estrogen and testosterone. FSH promotes the production of ovarian follicles and sperm.
What hormone controls blood sugar levels and which glands release it?
Insulin (lowers by sending glucose to cells) and glucagon (raises by releasing glucose from cells); both from the pancreas.
What does cortisol do and where is it produced?
It’s a stress hormone made by the adrenal glands; increases blood sugar and metabolism.
What does melatonin do and where is it produced?
It regulates sleep cycles; made by the pineal gland in the brain.
What is adrenaline and where is it produced?
A stress-response hormone made by the adrenal glands; boosts heart rate and energy.
Where is estrogen made and what does it do?
Made in ovaries; regulates female reproductive system.
Where is testosterone made and what does it do?
Made in testicles; develops male traits and sperm production.
What is human reaction time and how does it work?
A sensory organ detects stimulus → sensory neurons → brain → interneurons → motor neurons → response.
What do these neuron parts do? Dendrites
axon
What do the axon terminal
myelin
What are the three types of neurons?
Sensory neurons
What does the central nervous system include?
Brain
What does the peripheral nervous system include?
Spinal nerves and autonomic nervous system.
What happens at the synapse?
Electrical signal triggers neurotransmitters to cross the gap and stimulate the next neuron.
What is the resting potential in a neuron?
The neuron is ready to fire: more potassium inside
What is an action potential?
Sodium channels open
