EndoPharm 1 Flashcards
What does the endocrine system encompass?
The Endocrine system encompasses a group of organs/glands that release hormones into circulation for regulating various physiological functions.
Why are the hypothalamus & pituitary gland important for regulating the endocrine system?
Pg is part of hypothalamus. Very small, does a lot.
Hypo regulates the endocrine system
What is the difference in origin between hormones and neurotransmitters?
Endocrine glands vs. neurons of the NS
What is the difference in transport between hormones and neurotransmitters?
Blood vs. neurons
What is the difference in target between hormones and neurotransmitters?
distal and local organs vs local receptors on neurons
What is the difference in action between hormones and neurotransmitters?
Slow (up to a few days) vs. fast (up to miliseconds)
What is the difference in duration of effect between hormones and neurotransmitters?
Short and long lived vs. short lived
What is the difference in response between hormones and neurotransmitters?
Involuntary vs. voluntary and involuntary
What do hormones and neurotransmitters have in common?
- Chemicals
- Functions
- Receptor sites in target cells
- Regulate each other
- Feedback system
What chemicals are considered neurohormones? What does this mean?
**Noradrenaline (norepi), dopamine, oxytocin are all called neurohormones. Possess characteristics of both neurotransmitters and hormones.
What does the adrenal gland produce?
Adrenalin, corticosteroids
What does the pituitary gland produce?
Major producer of endocrine system.
What do the testicles and ovaries produce?
Sex hormones, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone
What does the brain produce?
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
What does the pancreas produce?
Insulin, glucagon
What does the thyroid produce?
Thyroid hormones, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, parathyroid hormone
What are the functions of hormones?
Hormones control the functions of all the organs. They affect diverse processes of growth and development, reproduction and sexual characteristics, temperature, hunger.
▪ Sending chemical signals to everywhere in the body
▪ They play a role in the development of bones and muscles
▪ They are necessary for bodily changes such as puberty
▪ They control metabolism
▪ They aid in the upkeep of homeostasis
How are hormones classified?
Structure determines hormone function.
Hormones can be steroids, amines, peptides/proteins
Sterorids are lipophillic. Drugs that can mimic or counter them also have to be lipophillic. Cross cell membrane easily and induce action. Recpetors are in cytoplasm or nucleus of the cell.
Peptides are AA linked togeher. Charged, water soluble, have a hard time crossing cell membrane. Rely on receptors on cell surface of target cell.
ACTH
1. Is also called?
2. Is produced by which organ?
3. Targets which organ(s)?
4. Function?
- Corticotrophin
- Pituitary gland
- Adrenals
- Stimulates the adrenal gland to produce a hormone called cortisol.
Thyrotropin
1. Is also called?
2. Is produced by which organ?
3. Targets which organ(s)?
4. Function?
- TH
- Pituitary gland
- Thyroid
- Stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete its own hormone, which is called thyroxine
LH & FSH
1. Is also called?
2. Is produced by which organ?
3. Targets which organ(s)?
4. Function?
- Gonadotrophins
- Pituitary gland
- Ovaries (females), testes (males)
- Controls reproductive functioning and sexual characteristics. Stimulates the
ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone and the testes to produce
testosterone and sperm.
Prolactin
1. Is also called?
2. Is produced by which organ?
3. Targets which organ(s)?
4. Function?
- PRL
- Pituitary gland
- Mammary glands
- Stimulates the mammary glands to produce milk. This hormone is secreted
in large amounts during pregnancy and breast feeding, but is present at all times in both males and females.
Growth Hormone
1. Is also called?
2. Is produced by which organ?
3. Targets which organ(s)?
4. Function?
- GH
- Pituitary gland
- All cells in the body
- Stimulates growth and repair. Research is currently being carried out to identify the functions of GH in adult
life.
ADH
1. Is also called?
2. Is produced by which organ?
3. Targets which organ(s)?
4. Function?
- Vasopressin
- Pituitary gland
- Kidneys
- Controls the blood fluid and mineral levels in the body by affecting water retention by the kidneys.