nervous and endocrine Flashcards
(87 cards)
Q: What is the role of the thymus in immunity?
A: The thymus produces T-cells, a type of white blood cell that is critical for the immune system’s defense against pathogens.
Q: What are the effects of adrenaline on the body during stress?
A: Adrenaline increases heart rate, dilates the airways, raises blood pressure, and redirects blood flow to muscles, preparing the body for action.
Q: What is the relationship between insulin and glucose uptake?
A: Insulin facilitates the uptake of glucose into cells for energy production or storage as glycogen in muscles and the liver.
Q: What happens during insulin secretion?
A: Insulin is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas when blood sugar levels rise, helping cells absorb glucose and store it as glycogen.
Q: What is the role of oxytocin in childbirth?
A: Oxytocin, released by the posterior pituitary gland, stimulates uterine contractions during labor and helps in milk production after childbirth.
Q: What is the relationship between the thyroid and metabolism?
A: The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism, controlling how fast the body burns energy and produces heat.
Q: How does the pancreas regulate blood sugar?
A: The pancreas regulates blood sugar by releasing insulin to lower blood sugar levels and glucagon to raise them, maintaining homeostasis.
Q: What is the role of the hypothalamus in temperature regulation?
A: The hypothalamus detects changes in body temperature and triggers appropriate responses, such as sweating or shivering, to maintain a stable internal temperature.
Q: How does the body cool itself down in hot weather?
A: The body cools itself through sweating (which evaporates heat) and by dilating blood vessels near the skin to release heat.
Q: How does the body respond to cold temperatures?
A: The body responds to cold temperatures by constricting blood vessels to retain heat and by shivering to generate heat through muscle activity.
Q: What is the role of cortisol during a stress response?
A: Cortisol, released from the adrenal glands, helps manage stress by increasing blood sugar levels and suppressing non-essential functions to focus energy on handling stress.
Q: What is the process of glycogenolysis?
A: Glycogenolysis is the breakdown of glycogen into glucose in the liver, stimulated by glucagon to raise blood sugar levels when needed.
Q: What is the role of glucagon in blood sugar regulation?
A: Glucagon raises blood sugar levels by stimulating the liver to release stored glucose (glycogen) into the bloodstream when blood sugar levels are low.
Q: What happens to blood sugar levels after a meal?
A: After eating, blood sugar levels rise, prompting the pancreas to release insulin, which helps cells absorb glucose and store it as glycogen in the liver and muscles.
Q: How does the body respond to stress?
A: The body responds to stress by activating the sympathetic nervous system, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, which prepare the body for the “fight or flight” response.
Q: What is the role of glucose in the body?
A: Glucose is the body’s primary energy source, and it is used by cells for metabolic processes, especially in the brain and muscles.
: What is insulin resistance?
A: Insulin resistance occurs when cells in the body do not respond properly to insulin, leading to higher blood sugar levels and increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Q: What happens during the “fight or flight” response?
A: During the fight or flight response, the sympathetic nervous system releases adrenaline and noradrenaline, increasing heart rate, dilating pupils, and redirecting blood flow to muscles to prepare the body for quick action.
Q: What is the role of the liver in blood sugar regulation?
A: The liver stores glucose as glycogen and releases it into the bloodstream when blood sugar levels are low, under the influence of glucagon.
: What is the process of negative feedback in hormone regulation?
The negative feedback loop occurs when a hormone change is detected, triggering a response to restore homeostasis in the body. Stimulus: A change in hormone levels triggers a response.
Hormone Secretion: The gland releases the hormone.
Effect on Target Cells: The hormone affects organs/tissues.
Feedback to Gland: High hormone levels signal to stop production.
Inhibition: The gland reduces hormone release.
Homeostasis: Hormone levels stabilize.
Q: What is the role of the posterior pituitary gland?
The posterior pituitary gland stores and releases hormones like oxytocin and vasopressin, regulating functions like water balance and childbirth.
Q: What is cortisol, and where is it produced?
A: Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal cortex (outer part of the adrenal glands) that helps the body respond to stress by increasing blood sugar levels, suppressing the immune system, and aiding metabolism.
Q: What is the function of aldosterone?
A: Aldosterone is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that helps regulate sodium and potassium balance, which controls blood pressure and fluid balance.
Q: Where is the pancreas located and what is its dual function?
A: The pancreas is located behind the stomach. It has a dual function: as an endocrine gland, it produces insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar; as an exocrine gland, it secretes digestive enzymes.