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Physiology > Endocrine system > Flashcards

Endocrine system Flashcards

1
Q

what is the role of the endocrine system?

A

the endocrine system is a collection of glands that produce hormones

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2
Q

what are hormones?

A

hormones are chemical messengers that are sent to organs via the blood for a certain task

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3
Q

what are 3 comparisons between the endocrine and nervous systems?

A
  1. the mediator molecules are hormones in the endocrine system, and neurotransmitters in the nervous system
  2. site of action: hormones bind directly to target cells, but neurotransmitters bind to receptors on target cell/other neutron
  3. hormones can take seconds to minutes to days to start working, but neurotransmitters only take milliseconds
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4
Q

where is the anterior pituitary gland located and what hormone does it produce?

A

the anterior pituitary gland is attached to the hypothalamus of the brain. It produces many hormones, including growth hormone.

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5
Q

What is the function of growth hormone and how is it stimulated?

A

growth hormone regulates growth, metabolism and body comp. It is stimulated by stress, deep sleep and exercise.

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6
Q

where is the posterior pituitary gland located and what hormone does it produce?

A

the posterior pituitary gland is also attached to the hypothalamus in the brain. It produces oxytocin.

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7
Q

what is the function of the hormone oxytocin?

A

oxytocin hormone aids in childbirth and breastfeeding

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8
Q

how does oxytocin aid in childbirth?

A

there are 5 steps to this:

  1. the fetus head pushes against the cervix
  2. this stimulates nerve impulses to send signals to the brain
  3. the posterior pituitary gland then reacts by secreting oxytocin
  4. oxytocin is carried to the uterus via bloodstream
  5. the oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions which pushes the baby towards the cervix
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9
Q

how does oxytocin aid in breastfeeding?

A

there are 4 steps to this:

  1. the infant suckling stimulates nerve signals to be sent to the brain
  2. the posterior pituitary gland then secretes oxytocin
  3. oxytocin is sent to the breasts via the bloodstream
  4. this stimulates the breasts to contact and the glands in the nipples release milk
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10
Q

where is the thyroid gland located and what hormone does it produce?

A

the thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck. It produces calcitonin, thyroxine and triiodothyronine

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11
Q

what are the functions of the thyroid hormones are what stimulates them?

A

the thyroid hormones regulate body metabolism. they are stimulated by low low levels of T3 or T4, low ,metabolic rate, and conditions where more energy is needed for homeostasis such as extreme climates and pregnancy

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12
Q

what is a condition associated with the thyroid not functioning optimally?

A

a condition associated with the thyroid is grave’s disease. it is due to hyperthyroidism and symptoms include weight loss, excessive sweating and inflamed eye muscles.

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13
Q

where are the parathyroid glands located and what hormones do they produce?

A

there are 4 parathyroid glands are they are located on the surface of the thyroid gland in the neck. they produce parathyroid hormone which is a protein hormone.

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14
Q

what is the function of parathyroid hormone and how does It carry out this function?

A

parathyroid hormone regulates blood calcium levels. it does this by taking calcium from bones as needed, promoting conservation of calcium in kidneys during urine production, and increasing calcium absorption in intestines during digestion.

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15
Q

where is the thymus gland located and what hormone does it produce?

A

the thymus gland is located beside the heart. It produces thymosin

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16
Q

what is the function of the hormone thymosin

A

thymosin hormone stimulates the function of T lymphocytes. These are our immune fighting cells!!

17
Q

where are the gonad glands and what hormones do they produce?

A

the gonads are our reproductive hormone glands. they are the testes in males and ovaries in females. the hormones they produce are testosterone, oestrogen and progesterone.

18
Q

what are the functions of the gonadal hormones?

A

testosterone promotes development of the male reproductive system.

oestrogen promotes development of the female reproductive system.

progesterone acts on the uterus during pregnancy.

19
Q

what is glycogenesis and how does it occur?

A

glycogenesis is the conversion of glycogen in the liver into glucose for when blood glucose levels are low.

there are 3 steps:

  1. low blood glucose stimulates the alpha cells in the pancreas to glucagon
  2. glucagon acts on liver cells to convert glycogen back into glucose
  3. glucose is released into he bloodstream and the body is happy again
20
Q

How is blood sugar regulated?

A

the pancreas regulates blood sugar levels.

when blood sugar levels are too low, glycogenesis occurs and glycogen is converted into glucose.

when blood sugar levels are too high, the pancreas secretes insulin into the blood which carries glucose into tissue cells.

21
Q

how does the body deal with high blood glucose levels?

A

there are 3 steps to this:

  1. high blood glucose levels stimulate the beta cells in the pancreas to secrete insulin into the bloodstream
  2. this insulin recruits GLUT from the bloodstream
  3. the glucose is then transferred into the tissue cells via facilitated diffusion and the body is happy again
22
Q

what is insulin sensitivity?

A

insulin sensitivity is the amount of insulin needed to transfer glucose out of the blood and into the cells.

high insulin sensitivity usually occurs in healthy people. it means that not too much insulin is needed for this transfer of glucose. therefore it is easier to move it and there will be less glucose in the blood.

low insulin sensitivity usually occurs along with obesity. it means that it takes a lot of insulin to transfer glucose from the blood. Because it is much harder, there will always be more glucose in the blood and this can cause type-2 diabetes.

23
Q

where is the pancreas located and what hormone does it produce?

A

the pancreas is a long curved gland that sits in the curve of the duodenum. It secretes both glucagon and insulin.

24
Q

what are the cells of the pancreas called?

A

They are called the islets of Langerhans

25
Q

where are the adrenal glands located, what are the regions and what hormones do they produce?

A

the 2 adrenal glands sit on top of each kidney. they have 2 distinct regions called the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex produces 3 types of hormones called mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids and androgens.

26
Q

give an example of a mineralocorticoid hormone and it’s function.

A

the mineralocorticoid that we studied was aldosterone.

Aldosterone regulates electrolyte balance in the blood.

27
Q

how is aldosterone stimulated?

A

aldosterone is stimulated by the RAAS in response to a increased blood pressure and decreased renal blood flow

there are 6 steps to this:

  1. exercise makes you sweat and blood pressure rises
  2. this sweating reduces blood volume and therefore blood flow to the kidneys is reduced
  3. reduced renal blood flow stimulates the release of renin from the kidneys, which stimulated the formation of angiotensin.
  4. angiotensin stimulates release of aldosterone from adrenal cortex
  5. aldosterone then stimulates reabsorption of sodium and water from renal tubules
  6. plasma volume then increases and blood pressure decreases
28
Q

give an example of a glucocorticoid hormone and it’s function

A

the glucocorticoid hormone we studied is cortisol. It’s function is to help the body respond stress.
almost every cell has receptors for cortisol, and so it can have many responses depending on where it is.
this can include regulating metabolism, controlling electrolyte balance, influencing blood pressure and even in childbirth.

29
Q

how is cortisol secretion stimulated?

A

there are 5 steps to cortisol secretion in the body:

  1. stimulus disrupts homeostasis
  2. this decreases glucocorticoid levels in the body
  3. receptors in brain detect that there is now not enough cortisol in the body
  4. the anterior pituitary gland secretes ACTH into the blood which acts on the adrenal cortex
  5. the adrenal cortex then secretes cortisol into the body
30
Q

give an example of an androgen hormone and it’s function

A

the androgen we studies is DHEA. It is overpowered by testosterone in males but helpful in puberty for females

31
Q

give 3 examples of stress on the body

A
  1. increased heart rate and blood pressure
  2. changes in blood flow that lead to increased alertness but also disrupt digestion
  3. retention of water and sodium by kidneys

Physiology (5 decks)

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