semester 1 Flashcards WACE
(450 cards)
what is homeostasis
the maintenance of a constant internal environment while fluctuations occur in the external environment
what is the endocrine system
a group of ductless glands which secrete chemical messages known as hormones to the bloodstream
what is a hormone
a chemical that is secreted by endocrine glands and that affects the functioning of the cell or organ. it is carried in the bloodstream
what are the key features of hormones
- target specific
- carried in bloodstream
- secreted by endocrine glands
- they are chemical messengers
- only affect the cell if they have receptors for that hormone
- change in the functioning of the cell
- mostly amines, proteins and steroids
- saturation can occur, when no more of that hormone can be used to alter the cell as their are no more receptors
- paracrines local hormones which secreted by cells and used in the same organ to increase communication
how do protein and amine hormones work
protein and amine hormones work by attaching themselves to the receptors cells on the membrane of the target cells, this usually causes a secondary messenger to be secreted which diffuses through the cell and activates particular enzymes(water soluble)
how do steroid hormones work
steroid hormones work by entering target cells and combining with receptor proteins inside the cell. the receptor may be on the mitocondria or other organelles in the nucleus. the hormone receptor complex can cause gene expression to begin
what is an endocrine gland
ductless, secretes hormones into extracellular fluid, usually passed through bloodstream
what is an exocrine gland
secretes into a duct that carries the secretion to the surface of the body
what hormones does the thyroid gland produce
thyroxine and calcitonin
what does both the thyroxine and calcitonin target
most cells
what is the action of the thyroxine hormone
stimulates metabolism, brings about the release of energy, monitors body temperature
what is the action of the calcitonin hormone
lowers blood calcium levels
what is the hormone produced from the paratyroid glamd
parathyroid gland
what does the parathyroid hormone target
bones, kidneys
what is the action of the parathyroid
to increase blood calcium levels
what hormone is secreted from the thymus
thymusin
what does the thymusin target
t-lymphocytes
what is the action of the thymusin
to influence the maturation and development of the t-lymphocytes
what hormones are secreted from the adrenal medulla
adrenaline(epinephrine)
noradrenaline(norepinephrine)
what does the adrenal cortex target
most tissues
what is the action of the adrenaline
targets many cells to prepare body for flight or respo\
what hormones are secreted form the adrenal crotex
- mineral carticoids
- glucorticoids
- gonadocorticoids
what does mineral corticoids target
kidney
what does glucorticoids target
most cells