Module 12: The Endocrine System

Question 1

Water soluble hormones

Answer 1

Amines
Peptides and proteins
Eicosanoids

Question 2

Lipid soluble hormones

Answer 2

Steroid
Thyroid
Gas

Question 3

Amino-based hormones

Answer 3

Consist of proteins or protein derivatives
Most hormones belong to this group
React with receptors on the surface of the cell
Rapid reaction

Question 4

Steroid hormones

Answer 4

Synthesized from cholesterol
Sex hormones and those hormones from the adrenal cortex
React with receptor sites inside a cell
Slow reaction

Question 5

Pituitary gland (hypophysis)

Answer 5

Master gland
Controls the activity of many other endocrine glands
Activity controlled by hypothalamus
Anterior pituitary gland – (adenohypophysis)
Posterior pituitary gland – (neurohypophysis)

Question 6

Hypothalamus

Answer 6

Major link between nervous and endocrine systems

Question 7

Adenohypophysis

Answer 7

Anterior pituitary gland

Secretions regulated by hypothalamus

Question 8

Neurohypophysis

Answer 8

Posterior pituitary gland
Two hormones produced in the hypothalamus and sent into a capillary bed in the neurohypophysis where they are stored and released

Question 9

Growth hormone (GH)

Answer 9

Also called somatotropin
Target: most body tissues
Stimulates growth by promoting protein synthesis

Question 10

Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Answer 10

Also called thyrotropin
Target: thyroid gland
Stimulates production of thyroid hormones

Question 11

Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH)

Answer 11

Target: Cortex of the adrenal glands

Stimulates production of hormones in the adrenal cortex

Question 12

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Answer 12

Target: testes and ovaries
Stimulates production of sperm in the male
Stimulates maturation of ova and production of estrogen by the ovaries

Question 13

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Answer 13

Target: reproductive organs
Stimulates the production of testosterone in the testes Stimulates the production of estrogen and progesterone by the ovaries
Also stimulates ovulation

Question 14

Prolactin (PRL)

Answer 14

Target: mammary glands

Stimulates milk production (lactation)

Question 15

Oxytocin

Answer 15

Target: uterus, mammary glands
Stimulates uterine contractions and initiates labor
Stimulates ejection of milk

Question 16

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Answer 16

Also called vasopressin
Target: kidneys
Increases water reabsorption in the kidney to reduce water loss

Question 17

T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine or tetraiodothyronine)

Answer 17

Target: most body cells
Regulates energy balance 
Increases rate of protein synthesis
Regulates growth
Most T4 is converted to T3 (the more active form) in the target tissues

Question 18

Calcitonin

Answer 18

Target: bone tissue

Regulates calcium blood levels by inhibiting the release of calcium from bone tissue to blood (decreases blood calcium)

Question 19

Parathyroid glands

Answer 19

Four small glands (some individuals have as many as 8) embedded in the posterior thyroid
Have nothing to do with the thyroid gland

Question 20

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Answer 20

Also called parathormone
Target: bones, intestines, kidneys
Increases blood calcium levels

Question 21

Adrenal glands

Answer 21

Located above each kidney
Also called the suprarenal glands
Outside layer (fibrous capsule) is surrounded by a cushion of fat
Two functional layers: cortex and medulla

Question 22

Mineralocorticoids

Answer 22

Secreted by adrenal cortex
Most common is aldosterone
Target: kidneys
Regulate water balance in the body

Question 23

Glucocorticoids

Answer 23

Secreted by adrenal cortex
Most common is cortisol
Target: most cells
Increase blood sugar levels 
Inhibit inflammation and immune response

Question 24

Gonadocorticoids (androgens)

Answer 24

Target: ovaries and testicles

Increase female sex drive

Question 25

Epinephrine

Answer 25

Secreted by the adrenal medulla
Also called adrenaline
Target: heart, blood vessels
Coping with stress by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow to skeletal muscles, and blood sugar

Question 26

Norepinephrine

Answer 26

Secreted by the adrenal medulla
Also called noradrenaline
Target: heart, blood vessels
Raises blood pressure

Question 27

Insulin

Answer 27

Produced by the beta cells in the islets of Langerhans
Target: most cells
Lowers blood glucose by increasing the rate of glucose
transported into the cells

Question 28

Glucagon

Answer 28

Produced by the alpha cells in the islets of Langerhans
Target: liver
Increases blood glucose
Stimulates the liver to convert glycogen (the storage form of glucose in the liver) into the bloodstream

Question 29

Progesterone

Answer 29

Produced in ovaries

Maintains the lining of the uterus in preparation for pregnancy

Question 30

Thymus gland

Answer 30

Site of production of T cells (involved with immunity)

Secretes thymosin, which regulates the development and function of the immune system

Question 31

Pineal gland

Answer 31

Affects biorhythms (rates of secretion of other hormones)
Secretes melatonin

Question 32

Gastrin

Answer 32

Produced in the stomach

Stimulates the release of HCl

Question 33

Intestinal gastrin

Answer 33

Produced in the duodenum (section of the small intestine)

Inhibits the secretion of HCl in the stomach

Question 34

Erythropoietin (EPO)

Answer 34

Produced in kidneys

Stimulates bone marrow to produce red blood cells

Question 35

Cholecalciferol

Answer 35

Produced in epidermal cells

Stimulates active transport of dietary calcium into the bloodstream

Question 36

Leptin

Answer 36

Produced in adipose tissue

Suppresses appetite in response to fatty foods

Question 37

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)

Answer 37

Secreted by specialized cells in the upper chambers of the heart
Opposes aldosterone in the kidney
Inhibits the reabsorption of Na+ and water, decreasing blood volume and blood pressure