A&P 2 endocrine glands and hormones study guide

What is the function of the pituitary gland?

It regulates various bodily functions by releasing hormones that control other glands.

Thyroid gland produces which hormone primarily?

Thyroxine (T4), which regulates metabolism and energy production.

True or False: The adrenal glands produce insulin.

False. The adrenal glands produce hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, not insulin.

What are the two main parts of the adrenal glands?

Cortex and medulla - each produces different hormones.

Fill in the blank: The __________ produces hormones that regulate blood sugar levels.

pancreas

What does the hypothalamus control?

It controls the pituitary gland and regulates homeostasis through hormone release.

Comparison: Thyroid vs. Parathyroid glands.

Thyroid regulates metabolism; parathyroid controls calcium levels.

What is the main hormone produced by the pineal gland?

Melatonin, which regulates sleep-wake cycles.

What is the role of the thymus gland?

It produces thymosin, crucial for T cell development and immune function.

True or False: The pancreas is both an endocrine and exocrine gland.

True. It produces hormones and digestive enzymes.

What do gonads produce?

They produce sex hormones: estrogens in ovaries, testosterone in testes.

What is the major function of the adrenal cortex?

It produces corticosteroids, affecting metabolism and immune response.

Cause → Effect: Low blood glucose levels.

Stimulates the pancreas to release glucagon, raising glucose levels.

What is the function of the posterior pituitary?

It stores and releases oxytocin and vasopressin (ADH).

Fill in the blank: The __________ gland regulates water balance.

posterior pituitary

What is the role of the adrenal medulla?

Produces adrenaline and noradrenaline for fight-or-flight responses.

Insulin → Function

Insulin lowers blood glucose levels by facilitating cellular uptake of glucose.

Cortisol → Effect?

Cortisol helps regulate metabolism, reduces inflammation, and responds to stress.

True or False: Thyroid hormones lower metabolic rate.

False. Thyroid hormones increase metabolic rate and energy expenditure.

Estrogen vs Testosterone

Estrogen influences female reproductive development; Testosterone regulates male traits.

Function of glucagon?

Glucagon raises blood glucose levels by promoting glycogen breakdown in the liver.

Fill in the blank: __________ stimulates the adrenal cortex.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulates the adrenal cortex.

Oxytocin → Role

Oxytocin triggers uterine contractions during childbirth and promotes bonding.

Growth Hormone (GH) → Effects

GH promotes growth, cell reproduction, and regeneration in tissues.

True or False: Melatonin is produced by the pancreas.

False. Melatonin is produced by the pineal gland and regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Function of parathyroid hormone?

Parathyroid hormone increases blood calcium levels by stimulating bone resorption and renal reabsorption.

Adrenaline → Cause and effect?

Adrenaline is released during stress, increasing heart rate and energy availability.

Thyroid hormones → Target

They target almost all tissues and increase metabolic activity.

Prolactin → Main function?

Prolactin stimulates milk production in mammary glands after childbirth.

True or False: Estrogen is only produced in females.

False. Males also produce estrogen, but at lower levels.

What does calcitonin do?

Calcitonin lowers blood calcium levels by inhibiting osteoclast activity.

Function of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?

ADH promotes water reabsorption in kidneys, reducing urine output.

What is homeostasis?

Homeostasis is the process by which biological systems maintain stability while adjusting to changing external conditions.

Feedback mechanism definition?

A feedback mechanism is a process that uses the conditions of a system to maintain homeostasis through regulation.

True or False: Negative feedback increases the output of a system.

False. Negative feedback reduces the output or activity of a system to stabilize it.

Example of negative feedback.

Thermoregulation: When body temperature rises, mechanisms increase heat loss, lowering temperature.

Positive feedback role?

Positive feedback amplifies a response until a specific event occurs, such as childbirth.

Cause → Effect: Hormonal response to low blood glucose.

Cause: Low blood glucose levels → Effect: Glucagon is released, increasing blood glucose.

What is the role of insulin?

Insulin lowers blood sugar levels by promoting glucose uptake into cells, maintaining homeostasis.

Hormonal regulation of water balance?

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) increases water reabsorption in kidneys, reducing urine output.

Fill in the blank: ___ feedback stabilizes a system, while ___ feedback amplifies it.

Negative; Positive.

Comparison: Positive vs. Negative feedback.

- Positive: Enhances change - Negative: Reduces change

What triggers the release of cortisol?

Cortisol is released in response to stress, helping to manage metabolism and immune response.

Role of the hypothalamus in homeostasis?

The hypothalamus regulates important bodily functions, including temperature, hunger, and hormonal release.

True or False: All feedback mechanisms are hormonal.

False. Feedback mechanisms can involve neural and hormonal components.

What is the effect of high blood calcium levels?

High blood calcium stimulates the release of calcitonin from the thyroid, lowering calcium levels.

Example of a feedback loop.

Blood pressure regulation: Baroreceptors detect pressure changes and adjust heart rate and vessel dilation.

How does the body respond to dehydration?

Dehydration triggers ADH release, promoting water reabsorption in kidneys and retaining fluids.