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Endocrine System - Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (16)

  • What is the primary role of the endocrine system in the body?
    The endocrine system contributes to homeostasis by releasing hormones that regulate physiological processes.
  • What is the difference between paracrine and autocrine signaling?
    Paracrine signals affect nearby cells, while autocrine signals affect the same cell that released the hormone.
  • What are the two main chemical compositions of hormones?
    Hormones are either amino acid-based (peptides or amines) or steroid-based (lipid-derived).
  • How do hormones act via second messenger systems?
    A hormone binds to a receptor on the cell surface, triggering a second messenger inside the cell to initiate a response.
  • How do steroid hormones act differently from amino acid-based hormones?
    Steroid hormones directly enter the cell nucleus and alter gene expression, unlike amino acid hormones that use second messengers.
  • What are the three types of hormone interactions for regulation?
    Hormone release is regulated by humoral (blood chemistry), neural (nerve signals), and hormonal (other hormones) stimuli.
  • Where is the pituitary gland located and what is its general function?
    The pituitary gland is located at the brain base and controls other endocrine glands by releasing multiple tropic hormones.
  • What hormone does the thyroid gland produce and what is its effect?
    The thyroid gland produces thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which regulate metabolism and growth.
  • What is the role of the parathyroid glands?
    Parathyroid glands secrete parathyroid hormone (PTH) to increase blood calcium levels.
  • What hormones are produced by the adrenal glands?
    The adrenal glands produce cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenaline (epinephrine) for stress response and electrolyte balance.
  • What hormone does the pineal gland secrete and what is its function?
    The pineal gland secretes melatonin, which regulates circadian rhythms and sleep cycles.
  • How is the reproductive system hormonally regulated?
    The reproductive system is regulated by hormones like gonadotropins from the pituitary and sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone.
  • What role do pancreatic endocrine cells play in blood glucose regulation?
    Pancreatic cells release insulin to lower blood glucose and glucagon to raise blood glucose.
  • Which hormones are released by the heart with endocrine functions?
    The heart releases atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) to reduce blood volume and pressure.
  • What hormones do the kidneys release with endocrine functions?
    The kidneys release erythropoietin (EPO) to stimulate red blood cell production.
  • What is the general function of hormones found throughout the body?
    Hormones regulate growth, metabolism, reproduction, and homeostasis by acting on target cells.