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Introduction to the Endocrine System /A& P II

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Terms in this set (29)

  • What are the two main types of chemical messengers used by the endocrine system?
    Endocrine and neurotransmitter systems.
  • What are the four types of chemical messengers based on their signaling method?
    Endocrine, paracrine, autocrine, and neurotransmitter.
  • How do endocrine chemical messengers travel to their target cells?
    They diffuse into the bloodstream and act on specific target cells.
  • What is the difference between autocrine and paracrine signaling?
    Autocrine acts on the same cell that secretes it; paracrine acts on nearby cells.
  • What is the main difference in speed between the nervous and endocrine systems?
    Nervous system is fast (milliseconds), endocrine system is slow (hours to days).
  • What are the main components of the endocrine system?
    Glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream and hormones that regulate body functions.
  • What are the two types of glands based on secretion method?
    Exocrine glands secrete through ducts; endocrine glands secrete hormones into blood.
  • Why is the pancreas called a dual gland?
    It acts as an exocrine gland by secreting digestive enzymes and as an endocrine gland by secreting hormones.
  • What are the three chemical classes of hormones based on solubility?
    Amine, peptide/protein (water soluble) and steroid (lipid soluble).
  • How do lipid-soluble hormones travel in the blood?
    They bind to plasma carrier proteins for transport.
  • Where are receptors located for lipid-soluble hormones?
    Inside the cytoplasm or nucleus of the target cell.
  • Where are receptors located for water-soluble hormones?
    On the cell membrane of the target cell.
  • What is the second messenger commonly activated by water-soluble hormones?
    cAMP (cyclic adenosine monophosphate).
  • What is the process called when protein kinases add phosphate groups to inactive proteins?
    Phosphorylation.
  • What is up-regulation in hormone receptor activity?
    Increase in receptor number when hormone levels are low.
  • What is down-regulation in hormone receptor activity?
    Decrease in receptor number when hormone levels are high.
  • What is the term for maintaining internal stability by hormones?
    Homeostasis.
  • What are the three types of signals that stimulate endocrine glands?
    Humoral, neural, and hormonal stimuli.
  • What is an example of a humoral stimulus?
    Blood glucose levels stimulating insulin release.
  • What is the difference between positive and negative feedback in hormone regulation?
    Negative feedback decreases hormone secretion; positive feedback increases it.
  • Which hormone is released by the posterior pituitary in response to infant suckling?
    Oxytocin.
  • What hormone stimulates milk production in mammary glands?
    Prolactin.
  • What hormone regulates water reabsorption in kidneys?
    Antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
  • What hormone is secreted by the adrenal medulla during fight or flight response?
    Adrenaline (epinephrine).
  • What hormone regulates calcium levels by increasing blood calcium?
    Parathyroid hormone (PTH).
  • What hormone lowers blood calcium levels?
    Calcitonin.
  • What is the main function of gonadotropins?
    Stimulate ovaries and testes to produce sex hormones.
  • What hormone regulates the internal biological clock?
    Melatonin from the pineal gland.
  • What hormone from the thymus aids in T cell maturation?
    Thymosin.