Endocrine System quiz #1 Flashcards
Endocrine System quiz #1
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What is the primary function of the endocrine system?
The endocrine system uses hormones for long-distance communication to regulate growth, metabolism, and homeostasis. How do endocrine glands differ from exocrine glands?
Endocrine glands secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream, while exocrine glands release substances through ducts to specific locations. What is a hormone?
A hormone is a signaling molecule produced by glands, secreted into the bloodstream, and capable of affecting distant target cells. What are the main types of chemical signaling in the body?
The main types are autocrine, juxtacrine, paracrine, endocrine, and synaptic signaling. What is autocrine signaling?
Autocrine signaling occurs when a cell secretes a chemical signal that binds to receptors on its own surface. What is paracrine signaling?
Paracrine signaling involves cells releasing chemicals that affect nearby neighboring cells. What is endocrine signaling?
Endocrine signaling is when hormones are secreted into the bloodstream to reach distant target cells. What is the role of the hypothalamus in the endocrine system?
The hypothalamus connects the nervous and endocrine systems and regulates the pituitary gland to maintain homeostasis. What is the function of the pituitary gland?
The pituitary gland secretes hormones that regulate other endocrine glands and various physiological processes. How is the pituitary gland divided, and how does each part function?
The pituitary gland has an anterior and posterior lobe; the anterior produces its own hormones under hypothalamic control, while the posterior stores and releases hormones made by the hypothalamus. What are tropic hormones?
Tropic hormones are hormones that stimulate other endocrine glands to secrete their hormones. What are direct hormones?
Direct hormones act directly on target tissues to produce physiological effects. What is the difference between steroid and water-soluble hormones?
Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble, can cross cell membranes, and have intracellular receptors, while water-soluble hormones are hydrophilic, cannot cross membranes, and bind to cell surface receptors. How do steroid hormones exert their effects on target cells?
Steroid hormones diffuse through the cell membrane, bind to intracellular receptors, and alter gene expression by acting as transcription factors. How do water-soluble hormones exert their effects on target cells?
Water-soluble hormones bind to cell surface receptors, triggering signal transduction pathways and second messengers to produce rapid cellular responses. What is a second messenger in hormone signaling?
A second messenger is a non-protein intracellular signaling molecule, such as cyclic AMP, that transmits signals from hormone-receptor complexes inside the cell. Why do steroid hormones generally have slower but longer-lasting effects than water-soluble hormones?
Steroid hormones alter gene expression, leading to long-term changes, while water-soluble hormones trigger quick but short-lived responses via signal cascades. What is the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis?
The hypothalamic-pituitary axis coordinates the release of hormones from the hypothalamus and pituitary to regulate other endocrine glands. How does the hypothalamus communicate with the anterior pituitary?
The hypothalamus releases hormones into the portal blood vessels that stimulate or inhibit hormone release from the anterior pituitary. How does the hypothalamus communicate with the posterior pituitary?
The hypothalamus sends neurohormones down axons to the posterior pituitary, which stores and releases them into the bloodstream. What hormones are released by the posterior pituitary?
The posterior pituitary releases oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone (ADH), both produced by the hypothalamus. What is the function of oxytocin?
Oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions during labor, milk ejection during lactation, and plays a role in social bonding. What is the function of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?
ADH increases water reabsorption in the kidneys, helping to conserve water and maintain blood pressure. What are the main hormones produced by the anterior pituitary?
The anterior pituitary produces FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, prolactin, and growth hormone. What is the function of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)?
FSH stimulates gamete production in the ovaries and testes. What is the function of luteinizing hormone (LH)?
LH triggers ovulation in females and stimulates testosterone production in males. What is the function of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)?
ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete glucocorticoids like cortisol. What is the function of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)?
TSH stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). What is the function of prolactin?
Prolactin stimulates milk production in mammary glands and also affects immune function and metabolism. What is the function of growth hormone (GH)?
Growth hormone stimulates cell growth, regeneration, and overall body growth. What is the role of the thyroid gland?
The thyroid gland regulates metabolic rate and calcium homeostasis by producing thyroid hormones and calcitonin. What are the main thyroid hormones and their functions?
The main thyroid hormones are T3 and T4, which increase metabolic rate, heart rate, and heat production. How do thyroid hormones act at the cellular level?
Thyroid hormones, though amine-based, act like steroid hormones by entering cells and altering gene expression. What is the function of calcitonin?
Calcitonin lowers blood calcium levels by increasing calcium storage in bones, increasing excretion in kidneys, and decreasing absorption in the gut. What is the function of parathyroid hormone (PTH)?
PTH raises blood calcium levels by stimulating bone resorption, increasing kidney reabsorption, and enhancing gut absorption of calcium. How do calcitonin and parathyroid hormone interact?
Calcitonin and PTH have opposing effects to maintain calcium homeostasis in the blood. What hormones are produced by the adrenal cortex?
The adrenal cortex produces glucocorticoids (like cortisol) and mineralocorticoids (like aldosterone). What is the function of cortisol?
Cortisol is a steroid hormone involved in long-term stress response, metabolism, and immune suppression. What is the function of aldosterone?
Aldosterone regulates water and electrolyte balance by increasing sodium reabsorption in the kidneys. What hormones are produced by the adrenal medulla?
The adrenal medulla produces epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline).
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