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Endocrine System Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (20)

  • What is the primary function of endocrine cells?
    Endocrine cells secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream to regulate target cells throughout the body.
  • Name the major endocrine glands in the human body.
    Pineal gland, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, thymus, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries (female), and testes (male).
  • What is the role of the hypothalamus in the endocrine system?
    The hypothalamus controls the pituitary gland and regulates many endocrine functions by releasing hormones.
  • Differentiate between the adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis of the pituitary gland.
    Adenohypophysis (anterior pituitary) produces and releases hormones; neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary) stores and releases oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone.
  • List some hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary.
    Follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, prolactin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and growth hormone.
  • What hormone does the thyroid gland primarily produce?
    The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), which regulate metabolism.
  • What is the function of the parathyroid glands?
    Parathyroid glands regulate calcium levels in the blood by secreting parathyroid hormone.
  • Describe the structure of the adrenal glands.
    Each adrenal gland has a cortex (outer layer) and medulla (inner layer), producing steroid hormones and catecholamines respectively.
  • What hormones are secreted by the adrenal cortex?
    Mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens.
  • What hormones are secreted by the adrenal medulla?
    Epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are involved in the fight-or-flight response.
  • What is the role of pancreatic islets?
    Pancreatic islets contain alpha, beta, and delta cells that regulate blood glucose by secreting glucagon, insulin, and somatostatin.
  • What hormone does the beta cell of the pancreas secrete?
    Beta cells secrete insulin, which lowers blood glucose levels.
  • What hormone does the alpha cell of the pancreas secrete?
    Alpha cells secrete glucagon, which raises blood glucose levels.
  • Explain the mechanism of steroid hormone action.
    Steroid hormones diffuse through the plasma membrane, bind to intracellular receptors, and regulate gene transcription.
  • How do peptide hormones typically exert their effects?
    Peptide hormones bind to cell surface receptors, activating second messenger systems like cAMP to trigger cellular responses.
  • What is the role of cAMP in hormone signaling?
    cAMP acts as a second messenger that activates protein kinases to amplify the hormone signal inside the cell.
  • Describe the negative feedback mechanism in hormone regulation.
    Hormone secretion is inhibited when target organ hormone levels rise, maintaining homeostasis.
  • What is the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis?
    The hypothalamus releases TRH, stimulating the pituitary to release TSH, which then stimulates the thyroid gland to produce T3 and T4.
  • What is the physiological effect of oxytocin?
    Oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions during childbirth and milk ejection during breastfeeding.
  • What is the function of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?
    ADH promotes water retention by the kidneys, reducing urine output and helping maintain blood pressure.