UNIT 3 (Endocrine System) Flashcards
(12 cards)
What’s homeostasis?
Homeostasis is the process your body uses to keep everything balanced and stable inside, even when things around you change.
Describe what a positive feedback loop is and give example of when/where it’s used in the body.
Body responds to a change by making it stronger or continuing it, instead of reversing it. (Breasts and brain)
Describe what a negative feedback loop is and give an example of when/where it’s used in the human body.
Body’s way of staying balanced and stable. If it changes too much the body responds by reversing that change back to normal. (Brain)
What is metabolism? Is there a connection between metabolism and homeostasis?
Process that your body uses to convert food into energy.
Metabolism provides energy and Homeostasis uses the energy to keep in balance.
What are endocrine glands?
special organs that make and release hormones directly into the bloodstream
What are exocrine glands?
glands that release their substances through ducts to the outside of the body or into body cavities.
What’s are the 2 different types of hormones?
Steroid Hormones (cholesterol) and Non-Steriod Hormones (amino acids)
What are the main endocrine glands? Explain each.
Pituitary Gland
- Controls other glands; helps with growth, water balance, and reproduction.
Hypothalamus
- Connects the brain to the endocrine system; tells the pituitary what to do.
Thyroid Gland
- Metabolism
Parathyroid Glands
- balanced calcium blood levels.
Adrenal Glands
- Manage stress response, blood pressure, and salt balance
Pancreas
- Regulates blood sugar with insulin and glucagon.
Ovaries (females)
- Produce estrogen and progesterone; control periods and pregnancy.
Testes (males)
- Produce testosterone; control sperm and male traits.
What is type I diabetes?
Body cannot make insulin, so blood sugar stays high. People need daily insulin shots to live.
What is type II diabetes?
Body doesn’t use insulin well, causing high blood sugar. Develops in adults and can be managed with diet, exercise, and medicine.
How can diabetes be treated?
It can’t be cured but it can be treated through a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and regular monitoring. (Depends on the person)
Name 2 other endocrine disorders besides diabetes and briefly explain each.
Hypothyroidism: thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones.
Acromegaly: too much human growth during the adult years.
