Structure and Function

Question 1

What is the main function of the endocrine system?

Answer 1

maintaining homeostasis by regulating the production of chemicals that affect most functions of the body

Question 2

What are endocrine glands?

Answer 2

they are ductless glands, unlike exocrine glands that secrete substances into ducts

Question 3

What glands are located in the brain?

Answer 3

pineal, hypothalamus, pituitary

Question 4

What glands are located in the throat?

Answer 4

thyroid, parathyroid

Question 5

What gland is located above the heart?

Answer 5

thymus

Question 6

What gland is located above the kidneys?

Answer 6

adrenal

Question 7

What gland is located under the stomach?

Answer 7

pancreas

Question 8

What glands are located in the lower abdomen/groin?

Answer 8

ovaries, testes

Question 9

How do glands work?

Answer 9

glands secrete hormones into the blood stream to target tissues

Question 10

Why does the endocrine system work?

Answer 10

endocrine conditions are due to either hypo (too little) or hyper (too much) secretions of substances (hormones)

Question 11

What is the function of the hypothalamus gland?

Answer 11

part of the nervous system, releases hormones that regulate pituitary hormones, hormones either have a releasing or inhibiting factor

Question 12

What is the function of the pineal gland?

Answer 12

releases melatonin, a hormone believed to affect sleep and gonad functioning

Question 13

Where is the pineal gland located in the brain?

Answer 13

superior and posterior to the pituitary gland

Question 14

What is the function of the pituitary gland?

Answer 14

is the body’s master gland because it controls all other glands

Question 15

Where is the pituitary gland located in the brain?

Answer 15

located at the base of the brain in an area called the sella turcica

Question 16

What is the function of the thyroid gland?

Answer 16

secretions of thyroid hormones control metabolism and blood calcium concentrations

Question 17

What connects the two thyroid lobes together?

Answer 17

the right and left lobe located on either side of the trachea are connected by the isthmus

Question 18

What hormones does the thyroid secrete?

Answer 18

thyroxin (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), calcitonin

Question 19

What is the function of the calcitonin hormone?

Answer 19

functions to help lower blood calcium levels

Question 20

What is the function of the parathyroid gland?

Answer 20

regulates phosphate and raises blood calcium levels via parathyroid hormone

Question 21

What is the function of the thymus gland?

Answer 21

hormones secreted stimulate the production of T and B cells

Question 22

How many adrenal glands are there?

Answer 22

2, they are a pair with each one situated on top of a kidney

Question 23

What is the outer portion of the adrenal glands called?

Answer 23

adrenal cortex

Question 24

What is the inner portion of the adrenal glands called?

Answer 24

adrenal medulla

Question 25

What is the function of the adrenal glands?

Answer 25

regulate electrolytes, produces cortisol which is an anti-inflammatory hormone

Question 26

What does the inner portion of the adrenal gland do?

Answer 26

adrenal medulla secretes catecholamines (epinephrine-fight or flight and norepinephrine) in response to stress

Question 27

What is the function of the pancreas?

Answer 27

maintains proper blood glucose levels, has both exocrine and endocrine functions

Question 28

What serves the pancreas' endocrine functions?

Answer 28

the islets of Langerhans, it produces two types of cells called alpha and beta

Question 29

What does the pancreas do if blood sugar is high?

Answer 29

insulin is released by beta cells which stimulate glucose to be sent to the body's cells, converts unused glucose to glycogen to lower blood sugar

Question 30

What does the pancreas do if blood sugar is low?

Answer 30

glucagon is released by alpha cells, stimulates stored glycogen to be transformed into glucose to raise blood sugar

Question 31

What is insulin?

Answer 31

promotes movement of glucose into certain cells, stimulates formation of glycogen from glucose

Question 32

What does the artery do in response to glucagon?

Answer 32

blood glucose drops/rises towards normal

Question 33

What is glucagon?

Answer 33

stimulates cells to break down glycogen into glucose , stimulates cells to convert non-carbohydrates into glucose

Question 34

Where are the ovaries located in the lower abdomen?

Answer 34

female pelvic region, one attached to the top of each fallopian tube

Question 35

What is the function of the ovaries?

Answer 35

produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone

Question 36

Where are the testes located in the lower abdomen?

Answer 36

in the scrotum, a sac outside the body

Question 37

What is the function of the testes?

Answer 37

produce spermatozoa which fertilize the female ova, produce the male sex hormone testosterone