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Anatomy & Physiology: Endocrine and Blood Systems

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  • Function of the endocrine system
    The endocrine system regulates body functions by releasing hormones that act as chemical messengers to target cells.
  • Function of endocrine glands
    Endocrine glands secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate various physiological processes.
  • Pure endocrine organs vs neuroendocrine glands
    Pure endocrine organs only secrete hormones (e.g., thyroid), while neuroendocrine glands release hormones and have neural functions (e.g., hypothalamus).
  • Examples of organs with endocrine tissue and limited endocrine function
    Organs with endocrine tissue include the pancreas and gonads; organs with limited endocrine function include the heart and kidneys.
  • Changes hormones cause in the body
    Hormones can alter metabolism, growth, development, mood, and homeostasis.
  • Definition of target cell
    A target cell has specific receptors for a hormone and responds to its signal.
  • Regulation of target cell activation
    Target cell activation is regulated by hormone concentration, receptor number, and receptor affinity.
  • How small hormone amounts have big effects
    Hormones act via amplification cascades inside cells, so small amounts trigger large responses.
  • Duration of hormone effects
    Hormone effects can last from seconds to hours or days depending on hormone type and target cell.
  • Three ways the body regulates hormone release
    Hormone release is regulated by humoral stimuli (blood levels), neural stimuli (nerve signals), and hormonal stimuli (other hormones).
  • Difference between anterior and posterior pituitary
    The anterior pituitary produces and releases hormones; the posterior pituitary stores and releases hormones made by the hypothalamus.
  • Hormones of the pituitary gland
    The pituitary secretes 8 hormones including GH, ACTH, TSH, LH, FSH, PRL, ADH, and oxytocin.
  • Regulation of pituitary hormones
    Pituitary hormones are regulated by hypothalamic releasing/inhibiting hormones and feedback from target organs.
  • Diseases from abnormal pituitary secretion
    Examples include gigantism (excess GH), dwarfism (deficient GH), and diabetes insipidus (ADH deficiency).
  • Hormones of the thyroid gland
    The thyroid produces thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and calcitonin.
  • Effect of thyroid hormones
    Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, growth, and development.
  • Regulation of thyroid hormone secretion
    Thyroid hormone release is controlled by TSH from the anterior pituitary via negative feedback.
  • Hormones of the parathyroid gland
    Parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH) which increases blood calcium levels.
  • Function of adrenal gland hormones
    Adrenal cortex produces corticosteroids regulating metabolism and stress; adrenal medulla produces epinephrine and norepinephrine for fight-or-flight.
  • Hormones of the pancreas
    The pancreas secretes insulin and glucagon to regulate blood glucose levels.
  • Functions of blood
    Blood transports gases, nutrients, wastes, hormones, regulates pH and temperature, and protects via immune cells.
  • Components of blood
    Blood consists of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
  • Hematocrit test
    Hematocrit measures the percentage of red blood cells in blood, indicating oxygen-carrying capacity.
  • Structure and function of red blood cells
    RBCs are biconcave, lack nuclei, and carry oxygen via hemoglobin.
  • Hemoglobin structure and function
    Hemoglobin is a protein with iron that binds oxygen for transport in RBCs.
  • Regulation of red blood cell production
    Erythropoiesis is stimulated by erythropoietin released from kidneys in response to low oxygen.
  • Process of destroying red blood cells
    Old RBCs are broken down in the spleen; hemoglobin is recycled into iron and bilirubin.
  • Types of white blood cells
    WBCs include neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils (granulocytes), and lymphocytes, monocytes (agranulocytes).
  • Function of platelets
    Platelets aid in blood clotting and hemostasis.