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A-Level Biology > M5, C14 Hormonal Communication > Flashcards

M5, C14 Hormonal Communication Flashcards

1
Q

define hormones

A

chemical messengers that carry a signal to a target organ or tissue

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2
Q

define endocrine glands

A

glands that secrete a hormone directly into the blood.

they have no tubes or ducts

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3
Q

What is the simple hormonal pathway

A

endocrine gland -> blood -> receptor on target tissue

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4
Q

define target cells

A

only specific cells have complementary receptors for the hormone
this means that hormones can travel around in the blood and only affect the correct target tissue

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5
Q

what are the two types of hormone

A

non-steroid / protein

steroid

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6
Q

how do steroid hormones interact with the target cell

A

it’s lipid soluble so pass through lipid component of the cell membrane and bind to steroid hormone receptors to form hormone-receptor complex
the receptors are present in cytoplasm or nucleus
a hormone-receptor complex is formed and acts as a transcription factor which in turn facilitates or inhibits the transcription of a specific gene

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7
Q

how do non-steroid hormones interact with the target cell

A

they are hydrophilic so can’t pass directly through the cell membrane
they bind to specific receptors on the cell-surface membrane on target cell
triggers a cascade reaction mediated by chemicals called second messengers

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8
Q

What are the 2 glands in the pancreas?

A

Exocrine

Endocrine

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9
Q

What’s the function of the exocrine gland in the pancreas?

A

Produces digestive enzymes and pancreatic juice which are secreted into ducts which lead to the pancreatic duct.
They then go to the duodenum (top part of small intestine)

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10
Q

What are the 3 main digestive enzymes the exocrine gland produces in the pancreas?

A

Amylases (break down starch into simple sugars)

Proteases (break down protein into amino acids)

Lipases (break down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol)

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11
Q

What is the function of the endocrine gland in the pancreas?

A

Produces the hormones insulin and glucagon.

They control blood glucose concentration.

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12
Q

Where is endocrine tissue found in the pancreas?

A

Within exocrine tissue there are small regions of endocrine tissue called islets of Langerhans. This is where the hormones are produced and secreted.

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13
Q

What is the structure of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas?
What do the different cells produce?

A 
There are 2 different types of cell:
Alpha cells (produce and secrete glucagon)
Beta cells (produce and secrete insulin)

Alpha cells more numerous and large

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14
Q

On a microscope how could you differentiate between the alpha and beta cells in the islet of Langerhans?

A

Using differential staining

E.g. staining beta cells blue and alpha cells pink

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15
Q

What is the structure of the endocrine tissue in the pancreas?

A

Within islets of Langerhans
Lightly stained
Large, spherical clusters

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16
Q

What is the structure of the exocrine tissue in the pancreas?

A

Pancreatic acini
Darker stained
Small berry-like clusters

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17
Q

define negative feedback

A

any change to the optimum condition will result in a series of events leading to the reversal of the change

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18
Q

what do these terms mean?
lysis
genesis
neo

A

lysis: to split/breaking down
genesis: forming/creating
neo: new

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19
Q

how does the body react when blood glucose concentration levels rise

A
  • beta cells secrete insulin into the bloodstream.
  • insulin binds to glycoprotein receptor causing a change in tertiary structure of glucose transport protein channels so more glucose enters cells. There is a higher uptake of blood glucose from blood.
  • rate of glycogenesis is increased. liver stimulated to remove glucose from blood. glycogen is stored in liver and muscle cells.
  • glucose is converted into fat
  • release of glucagon from alpha cells is inhibited
  • insulin in constantly secreted because enzymes in the liver break it down.
  • when levels lower again, beta cells detect it and insulin secretion is reduced
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20
Q

how does the body react when blood glucose concentration levels fall

A
  • alpha cells detect fall and glucagon is secreted into bloodstream
  • glucagon receptors are on liver and fat cells
  • glycogenolysis - liver breaks down its glycogen into glucose and release into blood.
  • glucose that’s absorbed into liver is reduced
  • gluconeogenesis - increasing conversion of amino acids and glycerol into glucose in the liver
  • when levels rise again, alpha cells detect this and secretion of glucagon is reduced
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21
Q

what causes type 1 diabetes

who normally gets it

A

beta cells don’t produce insulin
may be caused by and autoimmune response where the body attacks its own beta cells
normally begins in childhood

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22
Q

what causes type 2 diabetes

A

beta cells don’t produce enough insulin OR a person’s body cells don’t respond properly to insulin
glycoprotein insulin receptor on cell membrane doesn’t work properly.
cells lose responsiveness to insulin so don’t take up enough glucose.
due to excess body weight, inactivity or overeating of carbohydrates
risk of getting it increases with age

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23
Q

Give some examples of symptoms someone with type 1 diabetes may suffer from and why

A

tiredness - cells aren’t taking up the glucose so they’re not respiring as much meaning less energy is created

weight loss - can’t store glucose as glycogen so reserves come from muscle and fat

excessive urination - there’s so much glucose in blood that the kidney can’t reabsorb it all, hence being urinated out

excessive thirst - the glucose has to be urinated which cause more water to due to osmosis, hence having the need to drink more

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24
Q

what is the difference between hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia

A

hypoglycaemia - very low blood glucose concentration

hyperglycaemia - very high blood glucose concentration

both lead to unconsciousness and death

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25
what are some treatments for type 1 diabetes
medically produced insulin - comes from genetically engineered bacteria that is modified to produce human insulin beta cell injection - stem cells from embryos could be used to create beta cells pancreas transplant
26
what is the average resting heart beat for a healthy young person
70bpm
27
what nervous system controls the heart rate
autonomic nervous system
28
what is the role of the accelerator nerve | where's it found
found in sympathetic nervous system | when stimulated, it releases neurotransmitter at sino-atrial node to increase heart rate
29
what is the role of the vagus nerve | where's it found
found in parasympathetic NS | when stimulated, it releases neurotransmitter at SA node to decrease heart rate
30
what happens to heart rate when carbon dioxide concentration increases
- the pH of blood decreases (more acidic) because carbonic acid is formed when carbon dioxide interacts with water in the blood. - chemoreceptors detect the decrease in pH and a response is triggered - heart rate increases - blood flows more quickly to lungs so carbon dioxide can be exhaled
31
what happens to heart rate when carbon dioxide concentration decreases
- pH of blood rises which the chemoreceptors detect - the frequency of nerve impulses sent to medula oblongata reduces - this means the frequency of impulses sent to sino-atrial node also reduces - heart rate decreases
32
what happens to heart rate when blood pressure increases
- baroreceptors detect change - impulses sent to medula oblongata - this sends impulses along parasympathetic neurones to SAN to decrease heart rate - blood pressure is reduced back to normal
33
what do chemoreceptors do | where are they found
detect changes in levels of chemicals eg. carbon dioxide found in aorta, carotid artery and medula oblongata
34
what happens to heart rate when blood pressure decreases
- baroreceptors detect change - impulses sent to medula oblongata - impulses sent along sympathetic neurones to SAN to increase heart rate - blood pressure increases to normal
35
what do baroreceptors do | where are they found
detect changes in blood pressure found in aorta, vena cava and carotid arteries
36
give some examples of hormones involved with increasing heart rate
when stressed, adrenaline and noradrenaline are released these affect the pacemaker region of the heart they increase the frequency of impulses produced by SAN to speed up heart rate
37
Compare the hormonal and nervous system
Hormonal is by chemicals called hormones, nervous is by nerve impulses. Hormonal transmission is by blood, nervous is by neurones. Hormonal transmission is slow, nervous is fast. Hormones travel to all parts of body but only target organs respond, nerve impulses travel to specific parts of body. Hormonal response is widespread, nervous is localised. Hormonal response is slow, nervous is fast. Hormonal response is often long lasting, nervous is short lived. Hormonal effect may be permanent and irreversible, nervous is temporary and reversible.
38
What are the adrenal glands | What is the structure
2 small glands on top of each kidney | Made of adrenal cortex (outer region) And adrenal medulla (inner region)
39
What are the 3 main hormones the adrenal cortex releases
Glucocorticoids Mineralocorticoids Androgens
40
What are the 2 main hormones the adrenal medulla releases
Adrenaline | Noradrenaline
41
what is the function of glucocorticoids made by the adrenal cortex
Includes cristol which helps regulate metabolism by controlling how the body converts fats, proteins and carbs into energy. Cristol also regulates blood pressure in response to stress. Corticosterone is another hormone released which regulates the immune response and suppress inflammatory reactions. Controlled by hypothalamus.
42
what is the function of mineralocorticoids made by the adrenal cortex
Main hormone produced is aldosterone which controls blood pressure by maintaining a balance between salt and water concentrations in blood and body fluids. The release is mediated by signals triggered by the kidney.
43
what is the function of androgens made by the adrenal cortex
male and female sex hormones the impact is relatively small compared to other hormones important for women during the menopause
44
what is the function of adrenaline
increases the heart rate sending blood quickly to the muscles and brain rapidly raises blood glucose concentration levels by converting glycogen to glucose in the liver
45
what is the function of noradrenaline
works with adrenaline in response to stress increases heart rate, widens pupils, widens air passages in the lungs and narrows blood vessels in non-essential organs to increase blood pressure
46
The control of insulin secretion
1) increase in blood flux conc 2) glucose into cells via transporter protein 3) high glucose conc in cell thus glucokinase converts glucose into glucose-6-phosphate 4) glucose-6-phosphate turns into two pyruvates 5) pyruvates enter Mitochondria forming lots of ATP 6) potassium ion channel open and k ions leave this increase in positive charges on outside (increase in potential difference) - inside cell negative relative to outside of the cell 7) ATP increase cell thus ATP sensitive channels close - inside becomes positive relative to outside 8) voltage dependent channels detect change in pd and open and ca ions move in by diffusion due to ec gradient 9) ca increase forces vesicles containing insulin to undergo exocytosis and release insulin into the blood
47
Why glycogen used as storage molecule
Insoluble thus prevents water moving in down wp and causing cell lysis
48
Why glycogen used as storage molecule
Insoluble thus prevents water moving in down wp and causing cell lysis
49
Type 2 treatment (non insulin dependent)
Regulate persons carb intake through diet and matching to their exercise levers Increases exercise levels -BGC drugs used including drugs to stimulate insulin production (drugs slowing down rate at which body absorbs glucose) Waist hip ratio and bmi used to indicate overweight
50
Effect of glucagon on liver cells
1) glucagon receptor site has shape complementary to glucagon 2) adenyl Cyclase become active due to glucagon receptor complex 3) adenelyl cyclase converts ATP to cAMP which can activate other enzymes in the cell 4) increase in cAMP activates protein kinase enzymes 5) they’re phosphorylated and become active (change shape of enzyme) 6) triggers conversion of glycogen to glucose 7) glucose released from liver/ muscle cells into blood 8) blood glucose conc increases
51
Action of adrenaline
1) adrenaline receptor site has shape complementary to glucagon 2) adenyl Cyclase become active due to adrenaline receptor complex 3) adenelyl cyclase converts ATP to cAMP which can activate other enzymes in the cell 4) increase in cAMP activates protein kinase enzymes 5) they’re phosphorylated and become active (change shape of enzyme) 6) triggers conversion of glycogen to glucose 7) glucose released from liver/ muscle cells into blood 8) blood glucose conc increases
52
Glycolysis
Break down of glucose
53
Glycogenesis
Making glucagon
54
Glycogenolysis
Breaking down glycogen
55
Gluconeogenesis
Making new glucose from proteins or fats
56
How does insulin decrease glucose levels
1) insulin binds to plasma membrane glycoprotein receptor and causes change in tertiary structure of glucose transport protein channels. This causes the channels to open allowing more glucose to enter the cells for respiration and glycogenesis 2) Increases rate of absorption of glucose by cells 3) increasing respiratory rate of cells 4) inhibiting release of glucagon from alpha cells of isles of langerhans
57
Blood glucose control
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK
58
# Define endocrine - gland - duct - exocrine
- ductless gland - group of cells that’ll secrete a substance - duct = tube that carries substance secreted by gland - gland with a duct
59
Adrenaline gland structure
Two parts - middle names medulla - releasing adrenaline Outer named cortex = releases cortisol which is stress hormone
60
Define CRF and ACTH
CRF = corticotropin releasing hormone ACTH = adrenocorticotropic hormone

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