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Endocrine System Overview
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Endocrine System Overview
Endocrine System Overview
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1
Question
What is the pituitary gland also known as?
Answer
The pituitary gland is also known as the hypophysis and is referred to as the 'master' endocrine gland.
2
Question
What is the role of the hypothalamus in relation to the endocrine system?
Answer
The hypothalamus serves as a major link between the nervous and endocrine systems.
3
Question
How many hormones do hypothalamus cells synthesize?
Answer
Cells in the hypothalamus synthesize at least 9 different hormones.
4
Question
How many hormones does the pituitary gland secrete?
Answer
The pituitary gland secretes 7 hormones.
5
Question
What are the main functions of the hormones secreted by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland?
Answer
Together, these hormones play important roles in regulating virtually all aspects of growth, development, metabolism, and homeostasis.
6
Question
What are the two portions of the pituitary gland?
Answer
The two portions of the pituitary gland are the anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary.
7
Question
What is the structure that connects the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland?
Answer
The hypothalamus attaches to the pituitary gland by a stalk called the infundibulum.
8
Question
What is the neurohypophysis?
Answer
The posterior pituitary is called the neurohypophysis and is composed of neural tissue.
9
Question
What is the adenohypophysis?
Answer
The anterior pituitary is called the adenohypophysis, accounts for about 75% of the total weight of the gland, and is composed of epithelial tissue.
10
Question
How are hormones released from the anterior pituitary controlled?
Answer
Hormones released from the anterior pituitary are controlled by hypothalamic hormones.
11
Question
What is the function of the hypophyseal portal system?
Answer
The hypophyseal portal system allows hypothalamic hormones to reach the anterior pituitary directly, facilitating immediate action on its cells.
12
Question
What arteries bring blood into the hypothalamus?
Answer
The superior hypophyseal arteries bring blood into the hypothalamus.
13
Question
What do the hypothalamic neurosecretory cells synthesize?
Answer
The hypothalamic neurosecretory cells synthesize hypothalamic hormones and package them inside vesicles.
14
Question
What are tropic hormones or tropins?
Answer
Tropic hormones or tropins are anterior pituitary hormones that act on other endocrine glands.
15
Question
What type of cells are somatotrophs and what do they secrete?
Answer
Somatotrophs are anterior pituitary cells that secrete human Growth Hormone (hGH).
16
Question
What is the function of human Growth Hormone (hGH)?
Answer
hGH stimulates several tissues to secrete insulin-like growth factors, promoting growth and regulating metabolism.
17
Question
What stimulates the secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)?
Answer
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) from the hypothalamus controls the secretion of TSH.
18
Question
What does follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) do in females?
Answer
In females, FSH initiates the development of ovarian follicles and stimulates the secretion of estrogens.
19
Question
What does luteinizing hormone (LH) trigger in females?
Answer
LH triggers ovulation, the release of a mature oocyte from the ovary.
20
Question
What feedback mechanism regulates the secretion of hormones in the anterior pituitary?
Answer
The secretion of hormones in the anterior pituitary is regulated by negative feedback.
21
Question
What does elevated cortisol do to the secretion of ACTH and CRH?
Answer
Elevated blood levels of cortisol inhibit the release of corticotropin (ACTH) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) from the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus, respectively.
22
Question
What factors promote the secretion of hGH?
Answer
Factors that promote hGH secretion include decreased fatty acids, increased amino acids in the blood, deep sleep, increased sympathetic activity, and certain hormones like glucagon and estrogens.
23
Question
What effect do increased levels of fatty acids have on hGH secretion?
Answer
Increased levels of fatty acids inhibit secretion of hGH.
24
Question
What is the primary function of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs)?
Answer
IGFs promote cellular growth and multiplication by increasing the uptake of amino acids and speeding protein synthesis.
25
Question
What happens during hypoglycemia in relation to hGH?
Answer
During hypoglycemia, the hypothalamus secretes growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), which stimulates hGH release and subsequently increases blood glucose levels.
26
Question
What hormone does the thyroid gland secrete in response to TSH?
Answer
The thyroid gland secretes triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) in response to TSH.
27
Question
What regulates the release of TSH?
Answer
The release of TSH is regulated by the blood levels of T3 and T4 via negative feedback.
28
Question
Which hormones secreted by anterior pituitary cells are involved in the stimulation of the gonads?
Answer
FSH and LH are the gonadotropins secreted by gonadotrophs that stimulate the gonads.
29
Question
What does the secondary oocyte develop into?
Answer
The secondary oocyte develops into a future ovum in the ovary.
30
Question
What is stimulated by FSH and LH in the female reproductive system?
Answer
FSH and LH stimulate the formation of the corpus luteum and the secretion of progesterone.