Textbook Question
Decreased blood calcium level would result in increased:
(a) Secretion of calcitonin
(b) Secretion of PTH
(c) Elimination of calcium by the kidneys
(d) Osteoclast activity
(e) Excitability of neural membranes
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Ch. 18 The Endocrine System
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew11th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874089
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 An Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology26
- Ch. 2 The Chemical Level of Organization34
- Ch. 3 The Cellular Level of Organization30
- Ch. 4 The Tissue Level of Organization24
- Ch. 5 The Integumentary System17
- Ch. 6 Bones and Bone Structure36
- Ch. 7 The Axial Skeleton11
- Ch. 8 The Appendicular Skeleton17
- Ch. 9 Joints13
- Ch. 10 Muscle Tissue12
- Ch. 11 The Muscular System28
- Ch. 12 Nervous Tissue18
- Ch. 13 The Spinal Cord, Spinal Nerves, and Spinal Reflexes22
- Ch. 14 The Brain and Cranial Nerves20
- Ch. 15 Sensory Pathways and the Somatic Nervous System17
- Ch. 16 The Autonomic Nervous System and Higher-Order Functions30
- Ch. 17 The Special Senses16
- Ch. 18 The Endocrine System20
- Ch. 19 Blood31
- Ch. 20 The Heart31
- Ch. 21 Blood Vessels and Circulation29
- Ch. 22 The Lymphatic System and Immunity31
- Ch. 23 The Respiratory System12
- Ch. 24 The Digestive System18
- Ch. 26 The Urinary System31
- Ch. 27 Fluids & Electrolytes32
- Ch. 28 The Reproductive System12
- Ch. 29 Development and Inheritance23
Martini, Nath, Bartholomew11th EditionFundamentals of Anatomy & PhysiologyISBN: 9780136874089Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 18, Problem 19
In what ways can a hormone modify the activities of its target cells?
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that hormones modify the activities of their target cells by binding to specific receptors either on the cell surface or inside the cell, depending on the hormone type.
Recognize that once the hormone binds to its receptor, it can trigger a cascade of intracellular events that alter the cell's function, such as activating or inhibiting enzymes, opening ion channels, or changing gene expression.
For peptide or protein hormones, which are generally water-soluble, the hormone binds to membrane receptors and activates second messenger systems (e.g., cAMP), leading to rapid changes in cell activity.
For steroid hormones, which are lipid-soluble, the hormone typically crosses the cell membrane and binds to intracellular receptors, directly influencing gene transcription and protein synthesis, resulting in longer-term effects.
Summarize that hormone effects can include altering membrane permeability, stimulating synthesis of proteins or enzymes, activating or deactivating enzymes, inducing secretory activity, or promoting mitosis, all of which modify the target cell's activity.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Hormone-Receptor Interaction
Hormones modify target cell activities by binding to specific receptors on or inside the cell. This binding triggers a cascade of cellular events, ensuring that only cells with the appropriate receptors respond to the hormone.
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Signal Transduction Pathways
Once a hormone binds to its receptor, it activates signal transduction pathways that convert the extracellular hormone signal into intracellular actions. These pathways often involve second messengers like cAMP, leading to changes in enzyme activity or gene expression.
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Cellular Responses to Hormones
Hormones can alter target cell activities by changing membrane permeability, stimulating protein synthesis, activating or inhibiting enzymes, or modifying gene expression. These responses adjust the cell’s function to meet physiological needs.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
What are the four opposing effects of natriuretic peptides and angiotensin II?
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Textbook Question
Which two hormones are released by the kidneys, and what is the importance of each hormone?
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Textbook Question
A researcher observes that stimulation by a particular hormone induces a marked increase in the activity of G proteins in the target plasma membrane. The hormone being studied is probably:
(a) A steroid
(b) A peptide
(c) Testosterone
(d) Estrogen
(e) Aldosterone
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Textbook Question
What is the primary difference in the way the nervous and endocrine systems communicate with their target cells?
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Textbook Question
How would blocking the activity of phosphodiesterase (PDE) affect a cell that responds to hormonal stimulation by the cAMP second messenger system?
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