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Endocrine System High-Yield Flashcards

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  • Endocrine system function

    The endocrine system uses hormones for slow, long-lasting effects in the body.

  • Difference between nervous and endocrine systems

    The nervous system acts fast with short effects, while the endocrine system acts slowly with long-lasting effects.

  • Exocrine glands

    Exocrine glands have ducts and secrete substances like sweat and saliva.

  • Endocrine glands

    Endocrine glands have no ducts and release hormones directly into the blood.

  • Hormones

    Hormones are chemical messengers transported in the blood to target cells.

  • Target cells

    Target cells have specific receptors for particular hormones.

  • Types of cell communication in endocrine system

    Autocrine affects the same cell, paracrine affects nearby cells, and endocrine uses hormones in blood for long-distance signaling.

  • Examples of hormone types

    Amino acid derivatives: epinephrine, thyroid hormones; Peptide hormones: ADH, GH; Steroid hormones: cortisol, estrogen.

  • Free vs bound hormones

    Free hormones are active with short life; bound hormones attach to proteins and last longer.

  • First and second messengers

    First messenger: the hormone itself; Second messenger: molecules like cAMP or Ca²⁺ that amplify the signal inside the cell.

  • Amplification in hormone action

    Amplification means a small amount of hormone causes a large cellular effect.

  • Hormone receptors: membrane vs intracellular

    Membrane receptors bind peptide hormones; intracellular receptors bind steroid and thyroid hormones that enter the cell.

  • Negative feedback in hormone regulation

    Negative feedback is the main control mechanism that maintains hormone levels.

  • Down-regulation and up-regulation

    Down-regulation: high hormone levels decrease receptors; Up-regulation: low hormone levels increase receptors.

  • Hypothalamus functions

    Controls the pituitary gland, produces ADH and oxytocin, and releases releasing and inhibiting hormones to regulate pituitary.

  • Anterior pituitary hormones count

    The anterior pituitary produces 7 hormones.

  • Posterior pituitary hormones

    The posterior pituitary releases 2 hormones: ADH and oxytocin.

  • Function of ADH

    ADH promotes water retention in the kidneys.

  • Function of oxytocin

    Oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions and milk release.

  • Thyroid hormones T3 and T4

    T3 and T4 increase the body's metabolism.

  • Role of TSH

    TSH regulates thyroid hormone production.

  • Iodine deficiency effect

    Lack of iodine causes goiter, an enlarged thyroid gland.

  • Calcitonin function

    Calcitonin lowers blood calcium levels.

  • Parathyroid hormone (PTH) function

    PTH increases blood calcium levels, opposing calcitonin.

  • Adrenal cortex hormones and functions

    Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone): Na⁺ retention; Glucocorticoids (cortisol): increase glucose and stress response; Androgens: sex hormones.

  • Adrenal medulla hormones

    Epinephrine and norepinephrine mediate the fight-or-flight response.

  • Pancreatic alpha, beta, and delta cells

    Alpha cells: glucagon raises blood glucose; Beta cells: insulin lowers blood glucose; Delta cells: somatostatin inhibits hormone release.

  • Insulin vs glucagon release triggers

    Insulin is released when blood sugar is high; glucagon is released when blood sugar is low.

  • Causes of diabetes types 1 and 2

    Type 1: autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells; Type 2: insulin resistance.

  • Cushing vs Addison disease

    Cushing: excess cortisol; Addison: cortisol deficiency.

  • Pineal gland hormone and function

    Melatonin regulates the sleep cycle.

  • Gonadal hormones and functions

    Testes: produce testosterone; Ovaries: produce estrogen and progesterone.

  • Other organs producing hormones

    Kidneys: produce EPO and calcitriol; Heart: produces ANP to lower blood pressure; Fat: produces leptin for satiety.