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Endocrine System - Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (22)

  • Define hormone

    A hormone is a chemical messenger secreted by endocrine glands that regulates physiological processes by acting on target cells or organs.

  • Difference between amino acid-based and steroid-based hormones

    Amino acid-based hormones are water-soluble and use second messenger systems. Steroid-based hormones are lipid-soluble and use direct gene activation by entering the cell nucleus to trigger protein synthesis.

  • Describe the second messenger system

    Water-soluble hormones bind to receptors on the cell surface, activating a second messenger inside the cell to trigger a response without entering the cell.

  • Describe direct gene activation by steroid hormones

    Steroid hormones enter the cell nucleus, bind to DNA, and activate genes to produce specific proteins, altering cell function.

  • Three types of hormone release stimuli

    Humoral: changes in blood levels of ions/nutrients.
    Hormonal: hormones stimulate other hormones.
    Neural: nerve impulses trigger hormone release.

  • Example of humoral stimulation

    Low blood calcium levels stimulate the parathyroid gland to release parathyroid hormone (PTH).

  • Example of hormonal stimulation

    The hypothalamus releases hormones that stimulate the anterior pituitary to secrete tropic hormones.

  • Example of neural stimulation

    The sympathetic nervous system stimulates the adrenal medulla to release epinephrine and norepinephrine.

  • Role of the hypothalamus in endocrine regulation

    The hypothalamus produces releasing and inhibiting tropic hormones and neuropeptides that regulate the pituitary gland's hormone secretion.

  • Posterior pituitary hormones and origin

    The posterior pituitary stores and secretes antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin, which are produced by the hypothalamus.

  • Anterior pituitary hormones

    The anterior pituitary produces and secretes: Growth Hormone (GH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH), Prolactin (PRL), and Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH).

  • Thyroid gland hormones

    The thyroid gland produces thyroxine (T3 and T4) which regulate metabolism, and calcitonin which lowers blood calcium levels.

  • Parathyroid hormone (PTH) function

    PTH increases blood calcium levels by stimulating bone resorption, increasing calcium absorption in the intestines, and reducing calcium excretion by the kidneys.

  • Adrenal cortex hormone groups

    The adrenal cortex produces mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone), glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol), and gonadocorticoids (sex hormones like androgens and estrogens).

  • Pancreatic hormones and their cells

    Insulin is produced by beta cells and lowers blood glucose. Glucagon is produced by alpha cells and raises blood glucose.

  • Function of melatonin from the pineal gland

    Melatonin regulates circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycles.

  • Hormones produced by the thymus gland

    The thymus produces thymosin and thymopoietin, which are involved in T lymphocyte maturation.

  • Hormones produced by the gonads

    Ovaries produce estrogen, progesterone, and inhibin. Testes produce testosterone and inhibin.

  • Hormones produced by other organs

    The heart produces atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). The kidney produces erythropoietin (EPO), calcitriol, and renin. The placenta produces human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG), human placental lactogen (hPL), progesterone, estrogens, and relaxin.

  • Effect of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)

    TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones, which increase metabolism in body cells.

  • Common hormone disorders related to the endocrine system

    Disorders include diabetes insipidus (ADH deficiency), pituitary dwarfism, gigantism, acromegaly, diabetes mellitus (insulin issues), Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism), myxedema (hypothyroidism), Cushing’s syndrome, and Addison’s disease.

  • Three signs of diabetes mellitus (the “poly”s)

    The three signs are polyuria (excessive urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), and polyphagia (excessive hunger).