Basics of Endocrine
This system uses hormones to communicate slowly over time.
What is the endocrine system?
This type of signaling acts on the same cell.
What is autocrine?
Hormone release is controlled by these loops.
What are feedback loops?
This hormone stimulates metabolism and energy use.
What are thyroid hormones (T3/T4)?
This hormone lowers blood glucose.
What is insulin?
Hormones travel through this to reach target cells.
What is blood (or lymph)?
This type acts on nearby cells.
What is paracrine?
This type of stimulus is caused by blood ion/nutrient levels.
What is humoral stimulus?
This hormone stimulates milk production.
What is prolactin?
This hormone raises blood glucose.
What is glucagon?
Endocrine glands are this (no ducts).
What is ductless?
This type travels through the bloodstream.
What is endocrine signaling?
This stimulus involves nerve signals.
What is neural stimulus?
This hormone triggers uterine contractions and milk letdown.
What is oxytocin?
This cell type produces insulin.
What are beta cells?
These glands use ducts to transport products.
What are exocrine glands?
Hormones cannot do this like neurons can.
What is generate an action potential?
This stimulus involves hormones stimulating other hormones.
What is hormonal stimulus?
This hormone increases blood glucose and lipolysis.
What is growth hormone (GH)?
This organ is the main target of glucagon.
What is the liver?
This mechanism describes hormone binding to receptors.
What is lock-and-key mechanism?
This determines how strongly a hormone affects a cell.
What are receptor number, affinity, and concentration?
This loop amplifies a response (ex: ovulation, oxytocin).
What is positive feedback?
This hormone is released during stress and affects metabolism.
What is ACTH (cortisol pathway)?
This process breaks down glycogen into glucose.
What is glycogenolysis?