hormone mechanics
To affect a cell, a hormone must bind to one of these specific protein structures.
What is a Receptor?
The Nervous System uses electrical signals (action potentials), while the Endocrine System uses these chemical messengers.
What are Hormones?
An "Exocrine" gland uses a duct (tube), but an "Endocrine" gland is defined by the fact that it is...
What is Ductless (releases directly into blood)?
A patient is in anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction) and cannot breathe. You administer an "Epi-Pen," which contains this hormone.
What is Epinephrine (Adrenaline)?
The Thyroid gland controls this major bodily process (the rate at which you burn fuel).
What is Metabolism (or Metabolic Rate)?
Because Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble, their receptors are found in this specific location of the target cell.
What is the Cytoplasm (or Nucleus/Inside the cell)?
Compare the speed of the two systems: The nervous system is fast, whereas the endocrine system is...
What is Slow?
A "Tropic" hormone is best defined as a hormone that targets...
What is another Endocrine Gland?
A diabetic patient is found unconscious and shaking (hypoglycemic). They have taken too much insulin and not eaten. You need to inject them with this hormone immediately to raise their sugar.
What is Glucagon?
The Parathyroid glands are usually found on the posterior (back) surface of this gland.
What is the Thyroid Gland?
Hormones must travel through this body fluid to reach their target cells.
what is blood?
Compare the duration of the effect: A nervous signal stops instantly when the stimulus stops, but a hormonal effect tends to be...
What is Long-lasting (Prolonged)?
TSH is a tropic hormone because it targets the Thyroid. Name the non-tropic hormone that TSH forces the Thyroid to release.
What is Thyroxine (T4)?
Doctors often prescribe "Prednisone" for asthma or severe rashes. Prednisone is a synthetic version of this stress hormone, used to stop inflammation.
What is Cortisol?
Without this specific mineral in your diet, the Thyroid cannot make T4,.
What is Iodine?
While protein hormones activate existing enzymes, steroid hormones usually enter the nucleus to trigger this specific genetic process.
What is Protein Synthesis (or Gene Transcription/turning on genes)?
Both systems use chemicals to communicate. In the nervous system, they are released into a synaptic cleft; in the endocrine system, they are released into...
What is the Bloodstream (or Capillaries)?
Most hormones are controlled by Negative Feedback, which means the final product of the pathway does this to the original signal.
What is Inhibits it (Turns it off)?
To induce labor in a pregnant woman whose contractions have stopped, doctors will start an IV drip of "Pitocin," which is a synthetic form of...
What is Oxytocin?
Hyper-parathyroidism (too much PTH) causes bones to become weak and brittle. This disease is called...
What is Osteoporosis?
Explain why a hormone like Insulin travels everywhere in the blood but only affects the liver and muscles, and not the eyes or ears.
Because only the liver and muscles possess the specific receptors for Insulin
Name the specific molecule that acts as both a neurotransmitter in the brain and a hormone in the adrenal glands.
What is Norepinephrine (or Noradrenaline)?
Positive Feedback is rare. Give one example of a hormone loop that amplifies itself rather than shutting off.
What is Oxytocin during childbirth (or Prolactin/Suckling)?
If a patient's thyroid has been removed due to cancer, they must take a daily pill of "Synthroid," which replaces this missing hormone.
What is Thyroxine (T4)?
Explain why the Parathyroid glands are essential for the nervous system to work.
Nerves require Calcium to fire signals. PTH ensures blood calcium never drops too low for nerves to function.