What is an endocrine gland and what does it do?
It is a group of cells that are specialised to secrete hormones
Where are hormones secreted into?
Bloodstream
What does pituitary gland produce and what does its hormones do?
GH (growth hormone) - controls growth of bones and muscles
FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) - growth and maturation of sperm and eggs
TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) - triggers thyroid to release hormones.
What does the thyroid gland produce and what does its hormone do?
Thyroxine - controls basal metabolic rate and glucose used in respiration.
What hormone does adrenal gland secrete and what does its hormone do?
Adrenaline - triggers fight or flight
What hormone does pineal gland secrete and what does its hormone do?
Melatonin - affects reproductive development and daily cycles
What does thymus gland secrete and what does its hormone do?
Promotes production and maturation of WBC’s
What does pancreas secrete and what do its hormones do?
Insulin - converts glucose into glycogen in liver
Glucagon - converts glycogen back into glucose in liver
What do testes secrete and what does its hormone do?
Testosterone - controls sperm production and secondary sexual characteristics
What do ovaries secrete and what do its hormones do?
Oestrogen - controls ovulation and secondary sexual characteristics
Progesterone - prepares uterus lining for receiving embryo
What is a target cell?
When hormones bind to specific receptors found on membranes or in cytoplasm of cells in target organ.
What are steroid hormones?
Hormones which are lipid soluble and pass through the liquid component of cell membrane and bind to receptors in cytoplasm or nucleus.
What are non steroid hormones?
Hydrophilic so cannot pass directly through cell membrane and must bind to receptors on cell surface membrane.
Describe mechanism of action of steroid hormones
1) Lipid-soluble steroid hormone passes through cell membrane
2) Hormone binds with receptor
3) Hormone-receptor complex attaches to DNA
4) Hormone-receptor complex acts as transcription factor to facilitate or inhibit transcription of specific gene.
5) polypeptide synthesised by ribosomes and mRNA
What is the adrenal cortex?
Outer region of glands
What hormones do adrenal cortex secrete?
Vital hormones like cortisol and aldosterone
What is adrenal medulla?
Inner region of glands
What hormones does adrenal medulla produce?
Non essential ones like adrenaline
What are the three main types of hormone the adrenal cortex produce?
Glucocorticoids
Mineralocorticoids
Androgens
What do glucocorticoids do?
Help regulate metabolism through controlling how body converts fats, carbs and proteins to energy.
Includes cortisol which is a primary stress hormone
What do mineralocorticoids do?
Helps control blood pressure through maintaining salt and water levels .
Main hormone is aldosterone
What do androgens do?
Small amounts of male and female sex hormones are released
Relatively small impact compared to other sex hormones like testosterone
Still important especially during menopause
What system involves adrenal medulla?
Sympathetic system as adrenaline is used.
What does adrenaline do?
Increases heart rate,
sends blood quickly to muscles and brain, rapidly raises blood glucose levels by converting glycogen to glucose.