Midterm I Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is a hormone?
A chemical messenger that sends signals to receptors it binds to through our bloodstream. They are produced by glands that are a part of the endocrine system.
How is a hormone similar to a neurotransmitter?
Hormones + neurotransmitters are both chemical messengers that bind to receptors and send signals
How do hormones get released into the body?
They are secreted into the bloodstream and travel throughout the body, affecting any cells that contain receptors for them
When hormones spread, they are _____, _____, and _____
widespread, slower to take effect, and longer lasting
The endocrine system releases _____ into the _____ to regulate several important bodily functions
hormones, bloodstream
Hormones are controlled by interactions through _____ and _____, which allows us to regulate bodily functions
hypothalamus (in the central nervous system), pituitary gland (in the endocrine system)
Which part(s) of the brain control the release of several important hormones?
hypothalamus, pituitary gland
The effects of hormones are ______ than the effects of neurotransmitters
longer-lasting than
What is the hippocampus primarily involved with?
learning and memory
What is the substantia nigra responsible for?
creating and releasing dopamine – a neurotransmitter
What is a pituitary gland sometimes known as, and what can you infer from this name?
It’s known as the “master gland”, denoting its messenger hormones control all other glands in the endocrine system
What body part does the pituitary gland work closely with?
hypothalamus (CNS)
Where is the pituitary gland located?
descends from the hypothalamus at the base of the brain
What are the three main functions of the pituitary gland?
secretes growth hormone, endorphins for pain relief, releases other key hormones that regulate fluid levels in the body
Where is the thyroid gland located?
the neck
What three things do the hormones released by the thyroid gland help regulate?
growth, metabolism, appetite
What is the difference between hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, and how is it treated?
too much thyroxine in hyper- causes agitation, bulging eyes, weight loss, and too little hormones causes tiredness and feeling cold
What hormone does the thyroid secrete too much of if you have hyperthyroidism?
thyroxine
If you are experiencing weight loss, feel agitated, and your eyes are bulging, what are you suffering from?
hyperthyroidism
If your symptoms are that you feel cold all the time and you’re suffering from tiredness, what disorder could you be suffering from?
hypothyroidism
What is the significance of the pituitary gland being close to the hypothalamus at the base of the brain?
it carries out instructions from the hypothalamus
Where is the hypothalamus located?
in the forebrain, located beneath the cerebral cortex towards the base of the brain
Which system is the hypothalamus a part of?
the limbic system
What is the difference between a hormone and a neurotransmitter?
Hormones have longer lasting effects, and they are secreted through the bloodstream with widespread impact, unlike neurotransmitters which are localized because they are released in close proximity to the cells that contain their receptors
