Introduction to the Endocrine System - Video Tutorials & Practice Problems
Types of Chemical Messengers
Introduction to the Endocrine System Example 1
For a nerve impulse to travel from one neuron to another, the signal must be transmitted across a synapse. At the synapse, the axon releases a neurotransmitter that then diffuses across the synapse and activates receptors on the subsequent dendrite. While this is an example of a nervous signal using a neurotransmitter, the action of neurotransmitter at a synapse is also sometimes considered an example of what other type of signaling?
Endocrine.
Autocrine.
Paracrine.
Intracellular.
Epinephrine (also known as adrenaline) is produced by your adrenal cortex during stressful situations. The adrenal cortex is part of the adrenal gland, located just superior to the kidneys. One of the targets for adrenaline is the heart, where it increases the heart rate. Based on this description, what type of signaling molecule is adrenaline?
Endocrine.
Autocrine.
Paracrine.
Intracellular.
Between the statements below, which one correctly describes a significant difference between how the endocrine and nervous systems function?
Chemical messengers of the endocrine system diffuse across a synapse, while in the nervous system they travel in the blood.
The nervous system is faster acting than the endocrine system.
The endocrine uses both chemical and electrical signals; the nervous system only uses chemical signals.
Signals transmitted by the endocrine system travel shorter spans than those of the nervous system.
Components of the Endocrine System
Introduction to the Endocrine System Example 2
True or False: if false, choose the answer that best corrects the statement.
Target cells can be defined as cells that possess a receptor that binds a particular hormone.
True
False: target cells are cells with a direct cellular connection with a gland.
False: target cells are defined as cells that hormones are chemically attracted to.
False: the target cell produces and releases hormones into the blood.
Ghrelin is a hormone produced in the stomach with target cells in the anterior pituitary. Its release is associated with feelings of hunger, and its release is lowest immediately after eating. Considering this, why do you think the stomach is not usually considered as an organ of the endocrine system?
As described, ghrelin is part of a paracrine and not endocrine signal.
While stomach contributes to endocrine function, the stomach’s primary role is not endocrine signaling.
The stomach is an example of an exocrine gland, not an endocrine gland.
Endocrine glands send signals to target cells, not other endocrine glands.
Which statement below correctly identifies the difference between the endocrine system and other body systems?
The organs of most other systems are typically connected or in close proximity, while the endocrine system is distributed throughout the body.
The organs of other systems are embryologically linked while the endocrine organs develop from separate germ layers.
The organs of other body systems only receive signals from the either the parasympathetic or sympathetic nervous system while the endocrine system receives signals from both.
Organs of the endocrine system are the only organs in the body that produce hormones.
Hormones
Introduction to the Endocrine System Example 3
Insulin operates by activating a receptor on the outside of the target cell. Based on your knowledge of hormone types, do you expect insulin to be an amino acid-based hormone or a steroid hormone, and why?
Amino acid-based because it cannot pass through the cell membrane of the target cell.
Steroid because it cannot pass through the cell membrane of the target cell.
Amino acid-based because it is not water-soluble.
Steroid because it is water-soluble.
Why do steroid hormones use a transport protein?
Transport proteins allow steroid hormones to cross the cell membrane leading to a cellular response.
Transport proteins stabilize the hormones, so they don’t react chemically with the blood.
Transport proteins make steroid hormones temporarily lipid soluble.
Transport proteins make steroid hormones temporarily water soluble.
Do you want more practice?
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