The Endocrine System Flashcards
Where are the adrenal glands located?
One above each kidney
What are the two portions of the adrenal gland?
Inner portion: medulla
Outer portion: cortex
What does the cortex of the adrenal gland secrete?
Glucocorticoids (mainly cortisol) and mineralocorticoids (mainly aldosterone), and some sex hormones
What systems do each of the portions of the adrenal gland belong to?
Cortex: endocrine system
Medulla: sympathetic nervous system
What does the adrenal medulla release when the sympathetic nervous system is activated?
Epinephrine, AKA adrenaline
What type of molecule is epinephrine, and what other type of molecule does it imitate?
It is a hormone, because it is released into the bloodstream by a ductless gland
It acts like a neurotransmitter because its effects are rapid and short-lived
What is the hormone & its class that is released by the hypothalamus? What does it target and what effect does it have?
- Releasing and inhibiting factors (peptides)
- Anterior pituitary; modify activity
What is the primary connection between the nervous and endocrine system?
Hypothalamus-pituitary axis
What is the signal of the endocrine system?
Hormone
What is a hormone?
A molecule which is secreted into the bloodstream by an endocrine gland
What is the difference between an endocrine and exocrine glands?
Endocrine: a ductless gland whose secretory products are picked up by capillaries supplying blood to the region
Exocrine: secrete their products into the external environment by the way of ducts
What is a polypeptide that possesses a ligand-specific binding site?
Hormone receptor
What occurs when a ligand(hormone) binds to the site of a hormone receptor?
The receptor modifies target cell activity
What determines tissue-specificity of hormone action?
Whether the cells of a tissue have the appropriate receptor
