Endocrine & Nervous System

• What do endocrine glands secrete?

  Hormones
• What is the definition of the endocrine system?

  • Consists of glands producing hormones
  • Regulates physiological roles (e.g., calcium, glucose homeostasis)
  • Greek origin: "endo" = within, "crisis" = to secrete
• How do endocrine glands release hormones?

  Directly into the bloodstream
• What distinguishes exocrine glands from endocrine glands?

  Exocrine glands release chemicals through ducts
• What is a hormone?

  A substance produced by endocrine glands
• What types of signaling molecules are included in the term hormone?

  Autocrine and paracrine signaling molecules
• Match the hormone to its gland: Parathyroid hormone.

  Parathyroid gland
• Match the hormone to its gland: Insulin and glucagon.

  Pancreas
• Match the hormone to its gland: Steroid hormones.

  Adrenal glands - cortex
• Match the hormone to its gland: Adrenaline & nor-adrenaline.

  Adrenal glands - medulla
• Match the hormone to its gland: Thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and calcitonin.

  Thyroid gland
• Match the hormone to its gland: Thyroid-stimulating hormone, growth hormone.

  Anterior pituitary gland
• Match the hormone to its gland: Melatonin.

  Pineal gland
• Match the hormone to its gland: Thymosin and thymopoietin.

  Thymus
• What is the function of a hormone?

  Cell-to-cell communication between molecules
• What are the types of humoral signalization?

  • Endocrine: gland to distant target via blood
  • Neurocrine: axonal transport then via blood
  • Paracrine: neighboring different cells
  • Autocrine: neighboring same type cells
• How are hormones transported in the blood?

  Freely or via specific transport globulins
• What are the rhythms affecting hormone production?

  Circadian, monthly, seasonal, developmental
• What role does the hypothalamus play in hormone regulation?

  Controls body temperature and produces releasing hormones
• What are the hormones produced by the anterior pituitary gland?

  • Growth Hormone (GH)
  • Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH)
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)
  • Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH)
  • Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
  • Prolactin
• What is the function of Growth Hormone (GH)?

  Regulates body growth and metabolism
• What does Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH) do?

  Stimulates secretion of thyroid hormones
• What is the role of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)?

  Stimulates cortisol secretion by adrenal cortex
• What does Follicle-stimulating Hormone (FSH) do in females?

  Stimulates growth and maturation of oogonia
• What is the function of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in males?

  Stimulates Leydig cells to secrete testosterone
• What does Prolactin do in females?

  Promotes breast development and lactation
• What hormones are produced by the thyroid gland?

  • Thyroxine
  • Triiodothyronine
• What is the function of thyroxine?

  Increases basal metabolic rate and protein synthesis
• What are the functions of adrenaline?

  • Increases heart rate and blood pressure
  • Shunts blood to vital organs
  • Raises blood sugar levels
  • Increases metabolic rate
  • Dilates bronchi and pupils
• What is the function of cortisone?

  Increases blood glucose during stress
• What are the functions of the pancreas?

  • Alpha cells produce glucagon to raise blood glucose
  • Beta cells produce insulin to lower blood glucose
• What is the role of the thymus gland?

  • Produces thymosin to mature lymphocytes into T-cells
  • Atrophies after puberty
• What hormones do the gonads produce?

  • Ovaries: oestrogen, progesterone
  • Testes: testosterone
  • Placenta: oestrogen, progesterone, gonadotropin
• What are the effects of testosterone?

  Promotes male secondary sexual characteristics
• What are the common drugs related to hormones?

  1. Thyroxine: treats hypothyroidism
  2. Insulin: lowers high blood sugar
  3. Cortisol: drives stress response
• What are the side effects of thyroxine?

  Hair loss, increased sweating, mood changes
• What are the effects of insulin?

  Lowers blood sugar by increasing glucose uptake
• What are the side effects of cortisol?

  Weight gain, hypertension, mood swings
• What is the role of cortisol in stress response?

  • Increases availability of carbohydrates, fats, proteins
  • Regulates blood pressure and sleep/wake cycle
• What is the function of parietal cells in the stomach?

  They produce stomach acid