The Endocrine System

Question 1

Endocrine Glands

Answer 1

Pituitary gland, Hypothalamus, Thymus, Pineal gland, Testes, Ovaries, Thyroid, Adrenal glands, Parathyroid, Pancreas

Question 2

Endocrine System

Answer 2

The collection of glands of an organism that secrete hormones directly into the circulatory system to be carried towards distant target organs.

Question 3

Adrenal Glands

Answer 3

Situated on top of the kidneys and consist of the adrenal cortex and medulla. Helps to control blood sugar in addition to:

• promoting proper cardiovascular function
• properly utilizing carbohydrates and fats
• distribution of fat storage
• promotes healthy gastrointestinal functions

Question 4

Adrenal Cortex

Answer 4

Located along the perimeter of the adrenal gland, the adrenal cortex mediates the stress response through production of:

• cortisol and cortisone (glucocorticoids)
• aldosterone (mineralcorticoids)
• androgens (cortical sex hormones)

Question 5

Glucocorticoids (e.g. Cortisol and Cortisone)

Answer 5

Stimulus: ACTH
Site: Adrenal Cortex

Involved in glucose regulation and protein metabolism. Raise blood glucose levels by promoting protein breakdown and using the products of gluconeogenesis.

Question 6

Mineralcorticoids (e.g. Aldosterone)

Answer 6

Stimulus: ACTH
Site: Adrenal cortex

Regulation of plasma levels of Na and K as well as the total extracellular water volume. Causes active reabsorption of Na and passive reabsorption of H2O in the nephrons.

Question 7

Cortical Sex Hormones (e.g. Androgens)

Answer 7

Stimulus: ACTH
Site: Adrenal cortex (secondary site)

Stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of male characteristics by acting as a precursor to production of testosterone in the Leydig cells of the seminiferous tubules of the testes.

Question 8

Adrenal Medulla

Answer 8

Located in the innermost part of the adrenal gland and surrounded by the adrenal cortex, the adrenal medulla mediates the ANS through production of:
-epinephrine; norepinephrine (catecholamines)

Question 9

Catecholamines (e.g. Epinephrine and Norepinephrine)

Answer 9

Stimulus: Sympathetic Preganglionic Neurons
Site: Adrenal medulla

Increase the rate and strength of the heartbeat as well as dilate and constrict blood vessels to increase blood supply to skeletal muscle, the heart and brain while decreasing blood supply to the kidneys, skin, and digestive tract. Responsible for “fight-flight” response

Question 10

“Fight-or-Flight” Hormones

Answer 10

Epinephrine and Norepinephrine

Question 11

Pituitary Gland

Answer 11

Situated at the base of the brain and consist of the anterior and posterior pituitary

Question 12

Anterior Pituitary Gland

Answer 12

Located in the anterior portion of the pituitary gland, the anterior pituitary mediates stress, growth, reproduction, and lactation through production of:
-FSH; LH; ACTH; TSH; Prolactin; Endorphins; GH

Mnemonic: FLAT PEG

Question 13

Direct Hormones

Answer 13

Directly stimulate their target hormones. Have major effects in mon-endocrine tissue.

Question 14

Tropic Hormones

Answer 14

Stimulate other endocrine glands to release hormones. Have major effects in other endocrine tissues.

Question 15

Gonadotropes (e.g. FSH and LH)

Answer 15

Stimulus: GnRH
Site: Anterior Pituitary
FSH: stimulates follicle maturation in females; spermatogenesis in males
LH: stimulates ovulation and formation of corpus luteum in females; testosterone synthesis in males

Question 16

Corticotropes (e.g. ACTH)

Answer 16

Stimulus: CRH/CRF
Site: Anterior pituitary gland

Stimulates the adrenal cortex to synthesize and secrete glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids and cortical sex hormones.

Question 17

Thyrotropes (e.g. TSH)

Answer 17

Stimulus: TRH
Site: Anterior pituitary gland

Stimulates the thyroid gland to synthesize and release thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which maintain the body’s metabolic rate, heart and digestive functions, muscle control, brain development, and bone maintenance.

Question 18

Luteotropin (e.g. Prolactin)

Answer 18

Stimulus: TRH
Site: Anterior pituitary gland

Stimulates milk production and secretion in female mammary glands.

Question 19

Endorphins

Answer 19

Stimulus: none
Site: Anterior pituitary gland

Neurotransmitters that behave like opioids, providing internal mechanism for pain relief and producing pleasurable sensations.

Question 20

Somatotropin (e.g. GH)

Answer 20

Stimulus: GHRH, ghrelin, androgen, estrogen
Site: Anterior pituitary gland

Promotes bone and muscle growth

Question 21

Posterior Pituitary Gland

Answer 21

Located in the posterior portion of the pituitary gland, the posterior pituitary gland stores and releases the peptide hormones:

• oxytocin
• ADH

Note: the posterior pituitary gland does not synthesize hormones; it only stores and releases them

Question 22

Oxytocin

Answer 22

Stimulus:
Site: Posterior pituitary gland

Produced in the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary gland until it is secreted during childbirth to increase the strength and frequency of uterine muscle contractions. Secretion is also induced by suckling, as it also stimulates milk secretion in the mammary glands.

Question 23

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Answer 23

Stimulus: CCK, plasma volume reduction, plasma osmolarity increase
Site: Posterior pituitary gland

Increases the permeability of the collecting duct in the nephron to water, thereby promoting water reabsorption and decreasing blood osmolarity by increasing blood volume.

Question 24

Hypothalamus

Answer 24

Controls pituitary hormones by releasing:

• Thyrotrophic-releasing Hormone (TRH)
• Growth-hormone-releasing Hormone (GHRH)
• Corticotrophin-releasing Hormone (CRH)
• Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH)

Question 25

Peptide Hormones

Answer 25

Composed of amino acids and are derived from larger precursors that are cleaved during posttranslational modification. Characteristics include: - polar and cannot pass through the plasma membrane - bind to extracellular receptors - rapid onset but are short lived - travel freely in the bloodstream

Question 26

Steroid Hormones

Answer 26

Derived from cholesterol. Characteristics include: - minimally polar and can pass through the plasma membrane - bind to intracellular and intranuclear receptors - slow onset but are long-lived - dissolve in bloodstream and carried by specific proteins

Question 27

Amino-acid Derivative Hormones

Answer 27

Modified amino acids. Share features similar to both peptide and steroid hormones. Common examples include: - epinephrine - norepinephrine - triiodothyronine - thyroxine

Question 28

Thymus

Answer 28

Responsible for the development of a healthy immune system through synthesis and secretion of peptide hormones including Thymosin and Thymopoietin, commonly referred to as humoral factors and are important during puberty.

Question 29

Pineal Gland

Answer 29

Release melatonin, which helps the body to adapt to circadian cycles, such as when to go to sleep.

Question 30

Testes

Answer 30

Responsible for healthy male sexual reproduction and development of secondary sex characteristics through synthesis and secretion of steroid hormones including testosterone. Note: testosterone is secreted by the interstitial cells of the testes

Question 31

Ovaries

Answer 31

Responsible for healthy female sexual reproduction and development of secondary sex characteristics through synthesis and secretion of steroid hormones including estrogen and progesterone.

Question 32

Thyroid

Answer 32

Located In the front of the neck and is responsible for controlling metabolic activity through synthesis and secretion of amino acid derivative hormones including triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).

Question 33

Parathyroid Gland

Answer 33

Group of four small glands located behind the thyroid gland responsible for proper bone development through synthesis and secretion of peptide hormones including the parathyroid hormone (PTH).

Question 34

Pancreas

Answer 34

Large gland located behind the stomach and is responsible for maintains healthy blood sugar levels through synthesis and secretion of peptide hormones including glucagon, insulin, and somatostatin.