Intro to Endocrine System

Question 1

What is the endocrine system? What is its general function?

Answer 1

The system of endocrine glands that release hormones into the bloodstream

Question 2

Compare and contrast endocrine and exocrine glands.

Answer 2

Both:
-Can secrete substances

Endocrine Glands:
- Secrete substances into the bloodstream

Exocrine Glands:
- Secrete substances near the surface of the body

Question 3

How do endocrine system messages differ from those of the nervous system?

Answer 3

Endocrine system messages take longer to travel through the bloodstream, which has longer lasting effects through the body

Question 4

Describe the role of the pituitary gland in the endocrine system.

Answer 4

Secrete growth hormones and control other endocrine glands

Question 5

List three endocrine glands other than the pituitary gland, and identify their functions.

Answer 5

Thyroid gland: Increase the rate of metabolism in cells

Pineal gland: Secretes melatonin that controls the sleep-wake cycle

Pancreas: Controls the level of glucose in the blood

Question 6

Which endocrine gland has an important function in the immune system? What is that function?

Answer 6

Thymus gland.

It matures immune system cells called T cells, which are critical to the adaptive immune response.

Question 7

Define hypersecretion and hyposecretion.

Answer 7

Hypersecretion: Too much hormone secretion

Hyposecretion: Too little hormone secretion

Question 8

Name an endocrine disorder in which too much of a hormone is produced.

Answer 8

Gigantism

Question 9

What are two reasons people with diabetes might have signs and symptoms of inadequate insulin?

Answer 9

1. The body’s own immune system attacks and destroys cells of the pancreas that secrete insulin
2. The body’s other cells throughout the body have become resistant to insulin

Question 10

Choose one. Cushing’s syndrome is an example of (hyposecretion/hypersecretion).

Answer 10

Hypersecretion

Question 11

True or False. The hypothalamus is the master gland of the endocrine system.

Answer 11

False

Question 12

True or False. Mammary glands that produce milk for offspring are part of the endocrine system.

Answer 12

False

Question 13

Melatonin is produced by the:

A. Pituitary gland
B. Hypothalamus
C. Pineal gland
D. Pancreas

Answer 13

C. Pineal gland

Question 14

Besides location, what is the main difference between the anterior lobe of the pituitary and the posterior lobe of the pituitary?

Answer 14

Anterior lobe synthesizes and secretes its own endocrine hormones

Posterior lobe stores and secretes hormones synthesized by the hypothalamus.

Question 15

Which endocrine glands differ between males and females? Which hormones do they produce?

Answer 15

Gonads
- Females produce estrogen
- Males produce testosterone