The Endocrine System

Question 1

What are the 7 main glands of the endocrine system?

Answer 1

1. Pituitary
2. Thyroid
3. Parathyroid
4. Adrenal
5. Pancreas
6. Ovaries
7. Testicles

Question 2

Which 4 organs have secondary endocrine functions?

Answer 2

1. Kidney
2. Liver
3. Heart
4. Gonads

Question 3

Describe the location and structure of the hypophysis (pituitary gland)

Answer 3

• Size of pea, base of brain
• Two lobes (anterior and posterior)

Question 4

What controls the pituitary gland?

Answer 4

The hypothalamus (in brain)

Question 5

How is the pituitary gland and hypothalamus connected?

Answer 5

Via the hypophyseal portal system

Question 6

The pituitary gland coordinates signals between _____ and ______ glands

Answer 6

hypothalamus
endocrine

Question 7

The anterior pituitary glands contains which 2 types of cell?

Answer 7

1. Adicophil Cells (grows well in acidic environment)
2. Basiphil Cells (type of white blood cell)

Question 8

What are the two acidophil cells found in the anterior pituitary gland and what hormones do they produce?

Answer 8

1. Somatotrophs -> growth hormones
2. Lactotrophs -> prolactin

Question 9

What are the three basophil cells found in the anterior pituitary gland and what hormones do they produce?

Answer 9

1. Thyrotrophs -> thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
2. Gonadotrophs -> luteinizing hormone (LT) + follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
3. Corticotrophs -> adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Question 10

What is the function of the posterior pituitary gland

Answer 10

• Stores and secretes two hormones made in the hypothalamus

Question 11

Which 2 hormones does the posterior pituitary gland store and secrete?

Answer 11

1. Vasopressin
2. Oxytocin

Question 12

What is vasopressin?

Answer 12

An anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) that controls water balance

Question 13

What effect does oxytocin have?

Answer 13

• uterine contraction at birth
• let-down reflex for breast feeding

Question 14

What is the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland?

Answer 14

• Thin layer of cells between ant. and post. lobes

Question 15

What is the function of the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland?

Answer 15

Produces melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)
Which regulates skin and hair pigment

Question 16

Describe the structure of the thyroid gland

Answer 16

• H-shaped gland in front of neck, below larynx
• Left and right lobes lie either side of trachea

Question 17

Which two hormones does the thyroid gland produce?

Answer 17

1. Thyroxine (T4)
2. Triiodothyronine (T3)

Question 18

What is thyroxine (T4) and how is it processed in the body?

Answer 18

• biologically active hormone which influences cell and tissue activity
• turned into T3 in body

Question 19

What are the parathyroid gland?

Answer 19

Four pea sized glands behind thyroid gland in neck

Question 20

Which hormone does the parathyroid gland produce?

Answer 20

Parathyroid hormone

Question 21

What is the function of the parathyroid hormone?

Answer 21

Regulate calcium levels in blood

Question 22

If the body senses low levels of calcium or vit-D in the blood, what will happen?

Answer 22

1. Parathyroid is secreted by the parathyroid gland
2. This causes release of calcium from bones into blood
3. And causes kidneys to stop losing calcium in urine, and increase vit D metabolism

Question 23

Where are the adrenal glands located?

Answer 23

One on top of each kidney

Question 24

What is the structure of the adrenal glands? (2)

Answer 24

• Outer adrenal cortex
• Inner adrenal medulla

Question 25

Which 3 types of hormone do the adrenal glands secrete?

Answer 25

1. Mineralocorticoids 2. Glucocorticoids 3. Adrenal androgens

Question 26

What is the most important mineralcorticoid and what's it's function?

Answer 26

- Aldosterone - maintains salt and water levels (regulating blood pressure)

Question 27

What is the most important glucocorticoid?

Answer 27

Cortisol

Question 28

What are the 3 functions of cortisol?

Answer 28

1. response to illness and metabolism regulation 2. stimulates glucose production (frees up fat and muscle) 3. anti-inflammatory effects

Question 29

What are adrenal androgens?

Answer 29

Male sex hormones

Question 30

What are the two main adrenal androgens?

Answer 30

1. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) 2. Testosterone

Question 31

What are the 2 main functions of DHEA and testosterone in early life?

Answer 31

- Development of male sex organs - Female body hair in puberty

Question 32

What 3 effects does adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) hormone have?

Answer 32

Affects release of: glucocorticoids adrenal androgens aldosterone

Question 33

Which type of hormone does the adrenal medulla produce?

Answer 33

Catecholamines

Question 34

What are the 3 catecholamines produced by the adrenal medulla?

Answer 34

1. Epinephrine 2. Noradrenaline 3. Dopamine

Question 35

What are catecholamines responsible for?

Answer 35

Physiological stress response characteristics

Question 36

The pancreas is part of which 2 systems?

Answer 36

Endocrine Digestive

Question 37

What 2 hormones are produced by islet cells in the pancreas?

Answer 37

1. Insulin 2. Glucagon

Question 38

In response to high BG, beta-cells produce:

Answer 38

Insulin

Question 39

What effect does insulin have?

Answer 39

Charges permeability of cell membranes to allow glucose to enter cells

Question 40

In response to low BG, alpha-cells produce:

Answer 40

Glucagon

Question 41

What is the function of glucagon?

Answer 41

Causes liver to release stored glucose into blood

Question 42

Where is gastrin produced and what's it's function?

Answer 42

- Stomach - Starts acid production by stomach

Question 43

Where is enterogastrone produced and what's it's function?

Answer 43

- Small intestine - Longer emptying time for stomach after high fat meal

Question 44

What does secretin do?

Answer 44

Triggers release of digestive enzymes from pancreas