Endocrine System

Question 1

What does the parasympathetic system do? (9)

Answer 1

1. Constrict pupils
2. Stimulate saliva
3. Slow heartbeat
4. Constrict airways
5. Stimulate activity of stomach
6. Inhibit glucose release
7. Stimulate intestinal activity
8. Contract bladder
9. Promote erection

Question 2

What does the sympathetic system do? (10)

Answer 2

1. Dilate pupils
2. Inhibit salivation
3. Increase heartbeat
4. Relax airways
5. Inhibit activity of stomach
6. Stimulate glucose release
7. Inhibit intestinal activity
8. Secrete adrenaline and noradrenaline
9. Relax bladder
10. Promote ejaculation and vaginal contraction

Question 3

True or false: sympathetic nerve fibres innervate all vessels except capillaries and precapillary sphincters which follow local control

Answer 3

TRUE

Question 4

Complete the sentences:

Sympathetic division prioritises blood vessels to ______, _________ ________ and ______ in times of emergency. Blood vessels to skin _____________ to minimise bleeding if injury occurs during stress or exercise

Answer 4

Brain
Skeletal muscles
Heart
Vasoconstrict

Question 5

What does venoconstriction increase?

Answer 5

Cardiac return

Question 6

What are examples of neurocrine communication? (3)

Answer 6

Anterior pituitary
Posterior pituitary
Adrenal medulla

Question 7

What are the major endocrine glands/organs? (9)

Answer 7

Pineal gland
Thyroid gland
Parathyroid gland 
Adrenal glands 
Gonads
Hypothalamus 
Pituitary gland
Thymus
Pancreas

Question 8

What does the thymus produce that promotes T cell maturation?

Answer 8

Thymosin

Question 9

What do hormones control and regulate? (5)

Answer 9

1. Reproduction
2. Metabolism
3. Growth and development
4. Body defences
5. General homeostasis and water, nutrient and electrolyte balance of blood

Question 10

Which is the point at which the CNS and endocrine system communicate?

Answer 10

Hypothalamus

Question 11

What does the hypothalamus deal with? (7)

Answer 11

1. Thermoregulation
2. Plasma osmolality via osmoreceptors
3. Heart rate and BP
4. Feeding
5. Sleep
6. Emotion, sexual behaviour
7. Lactation

Question 12

What does the hypothalamus produce? (2)

Answer 12

1. ADH and oxytocin (brings about contraction of uterus and release of milk)
2. 6 hormones that travel via hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system to anterior pituitary (4 stimulatory, 2 inhibitory)

Question 13

What is another name for the pituitary gland?

Answer 13

Hypophysis

Question 14

What are the two lobes of the pituitary called?

Answer 14

Anterior

Posterior

Question 15

Neurones that produce hormones are released from which lobe of the pituitary gland?

Answer 15

Posterior

Question 16

What are the two portal systems in humans?

Answer 16

Hepatic portal system

Hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system

Question 17

Which hormone does the thyroid produce?

Answer 17

Thyroxin

Question 18

What is TRH?

Answer 18

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone

Question 19

What is TSH?

Answer 19

Thyroid stimulating hormone

Question 20

Which responses are involved in the ‘stress response’? (3)

Answer 20

Endocrine
Nervous
Immune

Question 21

Behavioural effects of the stress response include what? (4)

Answer 21

Increased awareness
Improved cognition
Euphoria
Enhanced analgesia

Question 22

What are the physiological adaptions initiated by activation of the stress response?

Answer 22

Increased CV tone
Increased resp rate
Intermediate metabolism
Inhibition of feeding, digestion, growth, reproduction and immunity

Question 23

Complete the sentence:

The principal effectors of the stress response are localised in the ___________, ________ lobe of the pituitary gland and the _________ gland

Answer 23

Hypothalamus
Anterior
Adrenal

Question 24

What are the adrenal cortical hormones? (2)

Answer 24

Glucocorticoids (cortisol)

Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone)

Question 25

What is the central portion of the adrenal gland called?

Answer 25

Medulla

Question 26

What is the central portion of the adrenal gland composed of?

Answer 26

Parenchyma of large, pale-staining epithelioid cells called chromaffin cells

Question 27

What are chromaffin cells?

Answer 27

Modified neurones

Question 28

Complete the sentences: When nerve impulses carried by the sympathetic fibres reach the catecholamine-secreting chromaffin cells, they release their secretory products, ____________ and ______________. Therefore, chromaffin cells are considered the equivalent of _______________ neurones

Answer 28

Adrenaline Noradrenaline Postsynaptic

Question 29

Why are chromaffin cells considered as neurocrine secretion?

Answer 29

They are equivalent to postsynaptic neurones and secrete into the bloodstream

Question 30

What are the effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline? (5)

Answer 30

1. Glycogen breaks down to glucose 2. Increased BP 3. Increased breathing rate 4. Increased metabolic rate 5. Change in blood flow patterns, increased alertness and decreased digestive/excretory/reproductive active

Question 31

What does the pineal gland produce?

Answer 31

Melatonin

Question 32

What does melatonin do?

Answer 32

Involved in control of circadian rhythm

Question 33

What inhibits melatonin release?

Answer 33

Light exposure

Question 34

What does melatonin inhibit?

Answer 34

Release of gonadotrophins (LH and FSH)

Question 35

True or false: the pineal gland calcifies in early adulthood and can be seen on skull x-rays

Answer 35

TRUE