Intro to Endocrinology

Question 1

What is endocrinology?

Answer 1

Study of the endocrine glands and tissues that secrete hormones which impact homeostasis and reproduction

Question 2

What does endocrine physiology emphasize?

Answer 2

Homeostasis

Question 3

What does the endocrine system regulate?

Answer 3

Its a key controller of homeostasis, regulating basal metabolic rate (BMR), growth, etc. but also electrolytes, volume and fuel sources (glucose, fats, etc.)

Question 4

What is the central role of the hypothalamus?

Answer 4

Maintaining homeostasis, particularly in the endocrine system

Question 5

What hormones originate in the hypothalamus?

Answer 5

Releasing hormones: GnRH, CRH, TRH, CHRH. Inhibitory hormones: Somatostatin, Dopamine

Question 6

What hormones originate in the Thyroid gland?

Answer 6

T3, T4, Calcitonin

Question 7

What hormones originate in the Adrenal Gland?

Answer 7

Cortisol, Aldosterone, Androgens, Estrogens, Epinephrine

Question 8

What hormones originate in the ovaries?

Answer 8

Estradiol, Progestrone

Question 9

What hormones originate in the pituitary gland?

Answer 9

Anterior pituitary: ACTH, TSH, FSH, LH, Growth Hormone, Prolactin. Posterior pituitary: Vasopressin, Oxytocin

Question 10

What hormones originate in the Parathyroid Gland?

Answer 10

Parathyroid hormone

Question 11

What hormones originate in the Pancreas?

Answer 11

Insulin, Glucagon, Somatostatin

Question 12

What hormones originate in the testes?

Answer 12

Testosterone

Question 13

What secretes hormones?

Answer 13

Secreted by endocrine glands and tissues, typically acting at distal site

Question 14

What are three types of hormones?

Answer 14

Protein, steroid, amine

Question 15

At what concentrations are the effects of hormones excepted?

Answer 15

VERY SMALL concentrations (nano- to pico- molar levels)

Question 16

What do hormones bind?

Answer 16

Bind carrier proteins in serum

Question 17

What types of effects to hormones have?

Answer 17

Endocrine, paracrine and autocrine effects

Question 18

Where do hormones act?

Answer 18

On receptors on target cells

Question 19

What do hormones activate?

Answer 19

Secondary messenger systems and/or transcription in target cells

Question 20

What body systems and functions are hormones critical for?

Answer 20

Growth and development, Respiration, excretion, metabolism, Reproduction, Electrolyte balance.

Question 21

What does the hierarchy of the endocrine system involve?

Answer 21

Hypothalamus, Pituitary gland and maybe a third endocrine gland and a bunch of hormones.

Question 22

What does the hypothalamus integrate?

Answer 22

Many homeostatic and reproductive signals.

Question 23

What does the secretion of hypothalamic hormones regulate?

Answer 23

Anterior pituitary hormone production and secretion.

Question 24

What do some hypothalamic neurons do?

Answer 24

Extend into the posterior pituitary from which hormones can be released.

Question 25

In what bone does the pituitary gland sit?

Answer 25

Sphenoid bone

Question 26

What is the Anterior pituitary?

Answer 26

A true endocrine gland of epithelial origin.

Question 27

What is the Posterior pituitary?

Answer 27

An extension of the neural tissue.

Question 28

What is the Infundibulum?

Answer 28

The stalk that connects the pituitary to the brain/hypothalamus.

Question 29

How does the Hypothalamus interact with the Posterior Pituitary?

Answer 29

Hypothalamic neurons which produce the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin project into the posterior pituitary. With appropriate signals, hormones are released from these hypothalamic neurons in the posterior pituitary and immediately enter the general circulation. Target cells see these hormones rapidly after release.

Question 30

What is the process by which the hypothalamus causes release of hormones from posterior pituitary?

Answer 30

1. Hormone is made and packaged in cell body of neuron. 2. Vesicles are transported down the cell. 3. Vesicles containing hormone are stored in posterior pituitary. 4. Hormones are released into blood.

Question 31

What is Levothyroxine?

Answer 31

Third most prescribed drug, for hypothyroidism, supplementary thyroid hormone

Question 32

What are all hormones inhibited by?

Answer 32

Negative Feedback!

Question 33

What is the stimulus for ADH?

Answer 33

High osmolarity