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A2 Biology - F214 > F214 - Hormones > Flashcards

F214 - Hormones Flashcards

(42 cards)

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1
Q

Endocrine Gland

Definition

A

Releases hormone directly into the blood

Ductless

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2
Q

Exocrine Gland

Definition

A

Releases a secretion onto or at the surface of an organ via a duct

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3
Q

Target Tissue

Definition

A

Tissue made up of cells with specific complimentary receptors to the hormone molecules

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4
Q

First Messenger

Definition

A

A hormone that binds to a cell surface membrane to affect intracellular metabolic processes

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5
Q

Second Messenger

Definition

A

A molecule inside cells that acts to transmit signals from a receptor to a target

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6
Q

Where are the adrenal glands?

A 
Anterior to (just above) the kidneys, one on each side of the body
Each gland can be split up into a medulla region and a cortex region
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7
Q

Function of the Adrenal Glands

The Adrenal Medulla

A

Cells in the medulla manufacture the hormone adrenaline and release it in response to stress.

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8
Q

Function of the Adrenal Glands

The Adrenal Cortex

A

Uses cholesterol to produce certain steroid hormones
e.g.
Mineralocorticoids (e.g. aldosterone) help to control concentrations of sodium and potassium in the blood
Glucocorticoids (e.g. cortisol) help to control the metabolism of carbohydrates in the liver

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9
Q

What are the effects of adrenaline?

A
  • relaxes smooth muscle in the bronchioles
  • increases stroke volume of the heart
  • increases heart rate
  • causes general vasoconstriction to increase blood pressure
  • stimulates conversion of glycogen to glucose
  • dilates pupils
  • increases mental awareness
  • inhibits the action of the gut
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10
Q

How does adrenaline affect target muscle cells?

A
  • adrenaline binds to a receptor protein in the cell plasma membrane
  • this causes a shape change which affects a G protein on the inner membrane surface
  • the G protein activates an enzyme called adenylyl cyclase
  • adenylyl cyclase catalyses the production of cyclic AMP from ATP
  • cyclic AMP activates an enzyme in the cytoplasm that catalyses a reaction to activate another enzyme starting a chain of enzymes
  • at the end of the chain glycogen phosphorylase is activated
  • glycogen phosphorylase catalyses the conversion of glycogen to glucose phosphate
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11
Q

What are the first and second messengers for adrenaline?

A

adrenaline is the first messenger

cyclic AMP is the second messenger

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12
Q

The Pancreas as an Exocrine Gland

A
  • Pancreatic juices are secreted into the pancreatic duct which carries them to the duodenum
  • The secretion contains digestive enzymes
  • The enzymes break down large insoluble molecules to be absorbed
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13
Q

Glycogenolysis

Definition

A

The break down of glycogen to form glucose

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14
Q

Gluconeogenesis

Definition

A

The creation of glucose from non-carbohydrate substrates

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15
Q

Glycogenesis

Definition

A

Generating glycogen from glucose molecules

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16
Q

Alpha Cells

Definition

A

Cells in the pancreas which secrete glucagon

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17
Q

Beta Cells

Definition

Study These Flashcards
A

Cells in the pancreas which secrete insulin

18
Q

What is the role of insulin?

Study These Flashcards
A

Reduces blood glucose levels

19
Q

What is the role of glucagon?

Study These Flashcards
A

Increases blood glucose levels

20
Q

Hormone

Definition

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A

Molecule released into the blood which acts as a messenger

21
Q

What are the two types of hormone?

Study These Flashcards
A 
Protein/ peptide hormones (hormones ending in -ine)
Steroid hormones (hormones ending in -ol or -one)
22
Q

Peptide Hormones

Properties

Study These Flashcards
A

Protein hormones are unable to pass through the cell plasma membrane
They do not enter cells, instead they have to bind to external receptors

23
Q

Steroid Hormones

Properties

Study These Flashcards
A

Able to pass through the cell membrane

Act upon DNA in the nucleus affecting transcription

24
Q

The Pancreas as an Endocrine Gland

High Blood Sugar

Study These Flashcards
A

Increase in blood sugar is detected in the pancreas
Alpha cells stop secreting glucagon
Beta cells start secreting insulin in to the blood

25
The Pancreas as an Endocrine Gland | Low Blood Sugar
Decrease in blood sugar detected in the pancreas Beta cells stop secreting insulin Alpha cells start secreting glucagon into the blood
26
How are beta cells stimulated to secrete insulin?
- the cell plasma membrane contains potassium and calcium ion channels - potassium ion channels are normally open so potassium can flow out - when blood glucose concentration is high glucose moves in by diffusion - Glucose is metablised to produce ATP - ATP closes potassium ion channels and potassium ion accumulate inside the cell - This makes the inside of the cell less negative changing the potential difference across the membrane - This change in p.d. opens calcium ion channels, calcium ion move in by diffusion - Inside the cell the calcium ions cause vesicles of insulin to fuse with the plasma membrane - Insulin is released by exocytosis
27
What are the effects of insulin?
- The number of glucose channels in the membranes of muscle and fat cells is increased so glucose uptake is increased - The rate at which glucose is used up inside cells is increased especially the respiration rate in muscle cells - Glucose is converted to glycogen or fats for storage in muscle and liver cells
28
What are the effects of glucagon?
- An enzyme which hydrolyses fats and glycogen to form glucose is activated (glycogenolysis) - Liver cells convert glycogen to glucose and release glucose into the blood - The rate at which other substances are converted to glucose is increased (faster gluconeogenesis) - Respiration rate is reduced due to a lack of respiratory substrate
29
The Islets of Langerhans
small patches of the pancreas that have an endocrine fucntion
30
What is type 1 diabetes?
Beta cells in the pancreas which secrete insulin are targeted by the immune system Insulin production is inhibited so blood glucose levels cant be controlled
31
What causes type 1 diabetes?
The exact cause is unknown Certain genes increase the likelihood of developing type 1 diabetes Some research suggests that environmental factors like a viral infection can trigger onset in susceptible individuals
32
How is type 1 diabetes treated?
Sufferers have to monitor their blood glucose levels and inject insulin into the blood stream Injected insulin can come from animals or from genetically modified bacteria
33
What is type 2 diabetes?
The volume of insulin produced by beta cells is limited The insulin that is produced is not used effectively by target cells This means that when blood glucose levels are too high and insulin is secreted, glucose remains in the blood stream
34
What causes type 2 diabetes?
A number of factors increase the risk Primarily a BMI of 30 or more, particularly abdominal fat which causes cells to produce 'pro inflammatory chemicals' which reduce the sensitivity of target cells to insulin Increased age increases the risk Certain genes can make an individual more susceptible
35
How is type 2 diabetes treated?
There is no cure for type 2 diabetes Sufferers have to follow a treatment plan to manage their blood sugar levels This involves eating a balanced diet and, getting regular exercise and checking blood sugar levels regularly
36
What are the advantages of using insulin from genetically engineered bacteria?
- It is an exact replica of human insulin so is faster acting and more effective - There is less chance of the patient developing a tolerance to the insulin - Less chance of rejection due to an immune response - Lower risk of infection - Cheaper to manufacture - People are less likely to have moral objections
37
Stem Cells to Treat Diabetes
Research has shown that stem cells may be able to be used to treat type 1 diabetes The most common sources of stem cells are in the bone marrow or placenta, but scientists have found precursor cells in the pancreas of adult mice If similar cells could be found in humans they could be used to grow new beta cells
38
Hyperglycaemia | Definition
Very high blood glucose concentration
39
Hypoglycaemia | Definition
Very low blood glucose concentration | lack of respiratory substrate
40
What is the normal blood glucose concentration?
90mg/100cm^3
41
Steroids in Sport | Advantages
- can train for longer | - it is the choice of the individual
42
Steroids in Sport | Disadvantages
- give an unfair advantage - dangerous / unhealthy - distrust of outstanding performances - athletes should be role models

A2 Biology - F214 (6 decks)

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