Set 3 (Part II) Flashcards
What do some cells use as a second messenger of cAMP? What is activated?
- Calcium
- Phospholipase C
How does oxytocin trigger myometrial contractions?
Through the Phospholipase C pathway
Describe the phospholipase C pathway.
- Binding of messenger to receptor activates a G-protein
- Phospholipase C is activated and converts PIP2 to DAG and IP3
- IP3 mobilizes intracellular calcium stores and releases it into the cytoplasm
- Activation of calmodulin, which induces protein to change shape
- Cellular response
What stimuli cause hormone secretion?
- Nervous (stress)
- Ion levels (ex: calcitonin, parathyroid, aldosterone)
- Other hormones
- Environment
How is hormonal secretion usually controlled?
- Negative feedback loop
- Output of a system counteracts a change in input
What is the simplest mechanism of hormone regulation?
When an endocrine gland is sensitive to the physiological changes produced by its target cells
Explain the mechanisms that occur when the plasma concentration of thyroid hormones fall.
- Hypothalamus releases TRH
- Anterior pituitary releases TSH
- Thyroid releases thyroid hormones
- Thyroid hormones signal the hypothalamus to shut off the release of TRH
What is the stimulation for release of parathyroid hormone (PTH)?
Decrease in blood calcium
What is the action of parathyroid hormone?
- Stimulates osteoclasts in bone to release more calcium from storage in bone tissue
- Stimulates the release of calcitriol from bone
What is an example of a short feedback loop? How?
- Parathyroid hormone in response to low calcium levels
- Each parathyroid gland is senses to changes in the physiological variable its hormone regulates
What is the stimulation for release of calcitonin?
Increased calcium in the blood
What is the action of calcitonin?
- Stimulates calcium uptake by bone (osteoblasts)
- Decreases blood calcium
What is the stimulation for release of calcitriol?
Parathyroid hormone (PTH)
Why do new mothers need to watch their calcium intake?
Because the process of lactation decreases calcium stores
Where is the pituitary gland located?
- In a well-protected location in the brain
- Located on the ventral surface of the brain within the skull
- Difficult to access
What is the infundibulum?
Stem-like stalk that connects the pituitary to the hypothalamus
What is the neurohypophysis?
- Posterior pituitary
- Extension of the nervous system
What is the adenohypophysis?
- Anterior pituitary
- True thyroid gland
What is the function of the hypophyseal portal system?
- Allows deoxygenated blood to be carried down with the hormones produced by the hypothalamus
- Are shuttled directly to the anterior pituitary
- Faster, more direct communication
What does the hypophyseal portal system relay?
Hypothalamus and anterior pituitary
Where are the posterior pituitary hormones produced? What is its function?
- Produced in the hypothalamus
- Only responsible for storage
What are the two hormones released by the posterior pituitary?
- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH): acts on kidney tubules
- Oxytocin: acts on uterus smooth muscle and mammary glands
What are the two divisions of the anterior pituitary?
- Pars anterior: forms the major portion
- Pars intermedia
What is the tissue of the anterior pituitary composed of? What kind of cell? What kind of connective tissue? How is it vascularized?
- Irregular clumps of secretory cells
- Fine connective tissue fibers
- Surrounded by a rich vascular network