Endocrine system Flashcards
(30 cards)
What is the Endocrine system?
It is a network of glands that produce and release hormones to regulate bodily functions.
What are glands?
Organ/group of cells that produces or secretes hormones into the blood.
So what are hormones?
Chemical messengers produced and released by glands. 1 cell releases it and it effects other cells.
What is a target cell?
It contains specific receptors to bind to correct hormones and this makes sure that the hormone effects the correct tissue only.
What is a feedback mechanism?
It is a regulatory mechanism that controls hormone levels to maintain homeostasis throughout the body. We need this because 1 hormone can stimulate another and it can cause chaos.
What is positive feedback?
It amplifies a response when needed and it is used for rapid response.
What is negative feedback?
It is used to maintain homeostasis when hormone levels get too high; body reduces production.
What is a stimulus?
A trigger that initiates hormone release.
What is inhibit?
Process of reducing hormone secretion
What is a signal?
A chemical message sent by hormones to target cells
What is a resonse?
A reaction of target cells to hormones
What is glycogen?
Glycogen is a stored form of glucose that is stored in the liver and muscles.
What is glucagon?
Glucagon is a hormone produced by the pancreas that signals the liver to convert glycogen into glucose and it raises BS levels when they are too low.
What is insulin
It is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps cells absorb glucose from bloodstream and it lowers BS levels when too high.
How does negative feedback apply to control of blood sugar levels?
After eating glucose BS levels rise and the pancreas detects it and releases insulin which signals the cells to absorb glucose. The BS levels decrease and pancreas releases glucagon to tell the cells to convert glycogen into glucose vice versa.
What are the different types of glands
Pineal
Pituitary
Hypothalamus
Thyroid
Parathyroid
Adrenal
Pancreas
Ovaries
Testes
What is the pineal gland?
Located in the center of the brain (pea shaped) and regulates body’s circadian rhythm and produces/releases melatonin.
What is the hypothalamus?
It is a region of the brain and it is the primary link between the nervous and endocrine system and controls the release of hormones in the pituitary gland.
What is the pituitary gland?
It is the master gland at the base of brain and releases many hormones. It controls the activity of other glands. It signals the Thyroid, Adrenal, and the reproductive system to release hormones. It also releases the growth hormone.
What is the Thyroid stimulating hormone?
It is the hormone produced by the pituitary gland that signals thyroid to produce thyroxine.
What is the follicle stimulating hormone?
Hormone produced by pituitary gland and stimulates ovaries to produce estrogen and stimulates testes to produce sperm.
What is luteinizing hormone?
Hormone produced by pituitary gland and stimulates ovulation in females and testosterone in males.
What is Adrenocorticotropic hormone
Hormone produced by pituitary gland and stimulates and signals adrenal gland to produce cortisol.
What is the thyroid gland?
Produces thyroxine and regulates rate of metabolism.
