Baroreceptors
Chemoreceptors
aldosterone
Aldosterone is synthesised in the adrenal cortex by glomerulosa cells.
Acts on the principal cells in the nephron collecting duct and increases transcription of ENaC channels and H+/K+ ATPase pumps. More Na+ is reabsorbed and more K+ is secreted, H2O is retained -> blood pressure raised.
Aldosterone also causes the release of ADH from the posterior pituitary.
Aldosterone release is induced by Angiotensin II and it closes ENaC channels.
Aldosterone release is inhibited by ANP.
ADH(vasopressin)
ADH is produced by the posterior pituitary, when it is stimulated by the supraoptic nucleus in the hypothalamus. ADH release is stimulated by Angiotensin II.
If osmolarity increases, ADH secretion will increase.
ADH is a vasoconstrictor.
Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter which is used at the neuromuscular junction (it is a chemical that motor neurons of the nervous system release to activate muscles).
Acetylcholine is the parasympathetic neurotransmitter in the lungs, receptors are muscarinic (g protein coupled) and nicotinic (ligand gated ion channels).
Functions:
- Bronchoconstriction and vasodilation of pulmonary vessels
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ANP
ANP is a renal vasodilator. It inhibits aldosterone release induced by Angiotensin II and it closes ENaC channels. ANP decreases blood pressure.
stretch receptors
(1) Bladder
(1) stretch receptors are stimulated when the bladder fills. Afferent impulses stimulate parasympathetic action of the detrusor muscle- it contracts. urethral sphincters relax; this is mediated by inhibition of neurones to them. The PAG is stimulated.
CCK
CCK is a peptide hormone which is responsible for stimulating the digestion of fat and protein. It is synthesised and secreted from enteroendocrine cells in the duodenum.
adrenaline/noradrenaline
Adrenaline and noradrenaline are catecholamines produced by the adrenal medulla of the kidneys. Secretion is regulated by autonomic innervation, mainly sympathetic.
-Noradrenaline is the sympathetic neurotransmitter in the lungs. It leads to bronchodilation and vasoconstriction on pulmonary vessels.
oestrogen
During ovulation, Oestrogen is produced and released by granulosa cells in the ovary using aromatase enzyme. Following ovulation, the ruptured follicle transforms into a corpus luteum which releases large amounts of progesterone and oestrogen.
Functions:
(1) stimulates the development of the female external genitalia and the differentiation of the mullerian duct.
(2) at low levels, Oestrogen inhibits gonadotropin release. at high levels, oestrogen exerts a positive feedback on gonadotropin secretion, which stimulates the LH surge.
(3) High oestrogen levels following ovulation inhibit LH and FSH levels.
(4) causes hyperplasia and hypertrophy of endometrial cells. Also stimulates myometrial growth.
growth hormone
growth hormone secretion from anterior pituitary. Increased secretion occurs at puberty. It is affected by starvation, exercise, trauma, hypoglaecemia, deep sleep.
insulin- what is it and what does it do; mechanism and function.
Insulin is a peptide hormone made in the beta cells of the islet of langerhans (cells of the pancreas).
Insulin binds to membrane receptors -> intracellular signalling cascade stimulated -> GLUT-4 mobilisation to plasma membrane -> GLUT-4 integrates into plasma membrane -> glucose enters cell via GLUT-4.
Insulin functions;
insulin release
Phase 1- stored insulin is released rapidly
Phase 2- slower release of newly synthesised insulin
Glucose binds to beta cells -> glucose is converted into glucose-6-phosphate -> ADP is converted to ATP -> K+ channels close -> membrane depolarisation -> Ca2+ channels open -> Ca2+ influx -> insulin release.
After a meal, insulin levels increase; glucose goes to the liver and muscles to replenish muscle stores. Excess glucose is converted into fats.
Cortisol inhibits insulin, acts to increase blood glucose.
progesterone levels in the body
Menstruation:
Progesterone is the predominant hormone responsible for the secretory phase, released from the corpus luteum in the ovary. Progesterone production is stimulated by human chorionic gonadotropin (the level of this hormone decreases when the placenta develops and takes over).
High progesterone and oestrogen conc inhibit LH and FSH levels after ovulation. oestrogen and progesterone concentrations fall towards the end of the luteal phase because the corpus luteum degenerates into the corpus albicans if fertilisation does not occur. Therefore progesterone and oestrogen are no longer released.
Pregnancy: Progesterone inhibits uterine contractility so the foetus is not delivered prematurely. Oestrogen prepares the uterus and regulates progesterone levels. It also inhibits LH and FSH and so prevents further mensrual cycles during pregnancy.
lutenising hormone
GnRH is released by the hypothalamus and acts on the anterior pituitary to release FSH and LH.
In men, LH stimulates Leydig cells to produce testosterone.
In women, LH acts on theca cells, stimulating androgen release. Androgen diffuses from theca to granulosa cells to stimulate ovulation.
LH levels increase during menopause as they are not inhibited by negative feedback by oestrogen.
follicle stimulating hormone
GnRH from hypothalamus stimulates release of LH and FSH.
FSH acts on granulosa cells to stimulate the conversion of androgen into oestrogen (aromatase enzyme).
Menstruation: FSH levels decrease in the follicular phase, causing the non-dominant immature follicles to degenerate. FSH levels decrease after ovulation because they are inhibited by the high progesterone and oestrogen concentrations. FSH levels increase at the end of the cycle because the fall in progesterone and oestrogen concentrations mean FSH is no longer inhibited and so its plasma concentration begin to rise.
In men, FSH causes the production of sperm,
testosterone
Testosterone is released by the interstitial cells of Leydig in the seminiferous tubules in the testicle. Leydig cells start producing testosterone around week 8. Testosterone stimulates differentiation of the Wolffian duct.
Testosterone production is stimulated by the effect of LH on testes.
Briefly describe the mechanism of LH and FSH.
Hypothalamus -> GnRH -> anterior pituitary -> FSH/LH -> sertoli cells, leydig cells/granulosa cells, theca cells -> oestrogen, testosterone, inhibin -> negative feedback on hypothalamus and pituitary.
Describe the hypothalamo-pituitary-testicular-axis.
GnRh from hypothalamus acts on the anterior pituitary to release LH and FSH. LH acts on Leydig cells stimulating testosterone release. FSH acts on sertoli cells stimulating inhibin release. Inhibin and testosterone have a negative feedback affect on the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary.
What is dihydrotestosterone?
An active metabolite of testosterone. It modulates external genitalia differentiation -> penis, scrotum and prostate.
Name 7 molecules that are reabsorbed in the proximal convoluted tubule.
Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3-, H2O, amino acids, glucose.
What is tubuloglomerular feedback?
Macula densa cells of the DCT detect NaCl levels and use this as an indicator of GFR.
NaCl levels increase as GFR increases.
Name the 3 things to make up the Glomerular Filtration barrier.
What ion is pumped out of the ascending limb into the medullary interstitium?
Na+. This increases the medullary osmolarity.