Unit Wordlist and Learning Resources
Unit Wordlist: The Endocrine System
The following Terms and Concepts are important in the study of the Endocrine System:
| Overview of Endocrine System:
cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)
Pituitary Gland Structure and Function: pituitary gland (hypophysis) growth hormone (GH) prolactin (PRL) thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) luteinizing hormone (LH) antidiuretic hormone (ADH) oxytocin (OT)
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Endocrine TIssues and their Hormones:
parathyroid hormone (PTH)
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placenta
heart atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)
Homeostatic imbalances:
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chemical signal that elicits a response in neighboring cells; also called paracrine factor
chemical signal that elicits a response in the same cell that secreted it
tissue or organ that secretes hormones into the blood and lymph without ducts such that they may be transported to organs distant from the site of secretion
cells, tissues, and organs that secrete substances directly to target tissues via glandular ducts
secretion of an endocrine organ that travels via the bloodstream or lymphatics to induce a response in target cells or tissues in another part of the body
a cell that has a specific receptor for a hormone and exhibits the effects of that hormone when stimulated
a class of lipid-soluble hormones derived from cholesterol that bind to intracellular receptors and then DNA to produce a cellular effect; include sex steroids (e.g. testosterone, estrogen, progesterone), glucocorticoids (e.g. cortisol) and mineralocorticoids (e.g. aldosterone).
(also peptide or protein hormone) water-soluble hormones derived from amino acids that bind to a cell-surface receptor, triggering a second-messenger cascade that produces the target cell response; includes insulin, thyroid hormones, growth hormone, and others.
protein within a cell or on the cell membrane that binds a hormone, initiating the target cell response
hormone that binds to a cell membrane hormone receptor and triggers activation of a second messenger system
molecule that initiates a signaling cascade in response to hormone binding on a cell membrane receptor and activation of a G protein
protein associated with a cell membrane hormone receptor that initiates the next step in a second messenger system upon activation by hormone–receptor binding
membrane-bound enzyme that converts ATP to cyclic AMP, creating cAMP, as a result of G-protein activation
second messenger that, in response to adenylyl cyclase activation, triggers a phosphorylation cascade
bean-sized organ suspended from the hypothalamus that produces, stores, and secretes hormones in response to hypothalamic stimulation (also called hypophysis)
stalk containing vasculature and neural tissue that connects the pituitary gland to the hypothalamus (also called the pituitary stalk)
network of blood vessels that enables hypothalamic hormones to travel into the anterior lobe of the pituitary without entering the systemic circulation
region of the diencephalon inferior to the thalamus that functions in neural and endocrine signaling
(also adenohypophysis) the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland; made up of endocrine cells that respond to releasing hormones or release-inhibiting hormones produced within the hypothalamus
(also neurohypophysis) is the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, made up of the terminal endings of neuroendocrine cells that release the neurohormones antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and oxytocin (OT; which are synthesized in the hypothalamus and then transported along nerve fibers to the posterior pituitary for release)
hormones produced in the hypothalamus and released into the hypophyseal portal system
of the infundibulum to travel to the anterior pituitary; induce and increase in the release of their corresponding hormone from the anterior pituitary
hormones produced in the hypothalamus and released into the hypophyseal portal system
of the infundibulum to travel to the anterior pituitary; inhibit and decrease the release of their corresponding hormone from the anterior pituitary
anterior pituitary hormone that promotes tissue building and influences nutrient metabolism (also called somatotropin)
anterior pituitary hormone that promotes development of the mammary glands and the production of breast milk
anterior pituitary hormone that triggers secretion of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland (also called thyrotropin)
anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete corticosteroid hormones (also called corticotropin)
hormones that regulate the function of the gonads
anterior pituitary hormone that stimulates the production and maturation of sex cells
anterior pituitary hormone that triggers ovulation and the production of ovarian hormones, and the production of testosterone
hypothalamic hormone that is stored by the posterior pituitary and that signals the kidneys to reabsorb water
hypothalamic hormone stored in the posterior pituitary gland and important in stimulating uterine contractions in labor, milk ejection during breastfeeding, and feelings of attachment (produced by males and females)
large endocrine gland responsible for the synthesis of thyroid hormones
the basic structural and functional units of the thyroid gland, responsible for producing and storing thyroid hormones; made up of a single layer of cells surrounding a central cavity called the colloid
viscous fluid in the central cavity of thyroid follicles, containing the glycoprotein thyroglobulin
(also, tetraiodothyronine, T4) amino acid–derived thyroid hormone that is more abundant but less potent than T3 and often converted to T3 by target cells
(also, T3) amino acid–derived thyroid hormone that is less abundant but more potent than T4
peptide hormone produced and secreted by the parafollicular cells (C cells) of the thyroid gland that functions to decrease blood calcium levels
small, round glands embedded in the posterior thyroid gland that produce parathyroid hormone (PTH)
peptide hormone produced and secreted by the parathyroid glands in response to low blood calcium levels
endocrine glands located at the top of each kidney that are important for the regulation of the stress response, blood pressure and blood volume, water homeostasis, and electrolyte levels
inner layer of the adrenal glands that plays an important role in the stress response by producing epinephrine and norepinephrine
outer region of the adrenal glands consisting of multiple layers of epithelial cells and capillary networks that produces mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids
primary and most potent catecholamine hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to short-term stress; also called adrenaline
secondary catecholamine hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to short-term stress; also called noradrenaline
hormone produced and secreted by the adrenal cortex that stimulates sodium and fluid retention and increases blood volume and blood pressure
hormones produced by the zona glomerulosa cells of the adrenal cortex that influence fluid and electrolyte balance
glucocorticoid important in gluconeogenesis, the catabolism of glycogen, and downregulation of the immune system
hormones produced by the zona fasciculata of the adrenal cortex that influence glucose metabolism
male sex hormones produced by the cortex of the adrenal gland and present in both males and females (where they are converted to estrogen)
organ with both exocrine and endocrine functions located posterior to the stomach that is important for digestion and the regulation of blood glucose
specialized clusters of pancreatic cells that have endocrine functions; also called islets of Langerhans
pancreatic hormone that stimulates the catabolism of glycogen to glucose, thereby increasing blood glucose levels
pancreatic islet cell type that produces the hormone glucagon
pancreatic hormone that enhances the cellular uptake and utilization of glucose, thereby decreasing blood glucose levels
pancreatic islet cell type that produces the hormone insulin
endocrine gland that secretes melatonin, which is important in regulating the sleep-wake cycle
cell of the pineal gland that produces and secretes the hormone melatonin
amino acid–derived hormone that is secreted in response to low light and causes drowsiness
organ that is involved in the development and maturation of T-cells and is particularly active during infancy and childhood
hormones produced and secreted by the thymus that play an important role in the development and differentiation of T cells
class of predominantly female sex hormones important for the development and growth of the female reproductive tract, secondary sex characteristics, the female reproductive cycle, and the maintenance of pregnancy
steroid hormone secreted by the testes and important in the maturation of sperm cells, growth and development of the reproductive system, and the development of secondary sex characteristics
predominantly female sex hormone important in regulating the female reproductive cycle and the maintenance of pregnancy
protein hormone secreted in response to low oxygen levels that triggers the bone marrow to produce red blood cells
peptide hormone produced by the walls of the atria in response to high blood pressure, blood volume, or blood sodium that reduces the reabsorption of sodium and water in the kidneys and promotes vasodilation
increase in the number of hormone receptors, typically in response to chronically reduced levels of a hormone
decrease in the number of hormone receptors, typically in response to chronically excessive levels of a hormone
condition caused by destruction or dysfunction of the beta cells of the pancreas or cellular resistance to insulin that results in abnormally high blood glucose levels
abnormally high blood glucose levels
disorder in adults caused when abnormally high levels of GH trigger growth of bones in the face, hands, and feet
disorder in children caused when abnormally high levels of GH prompt excessive growth
disorder in children caused when abnormally low levels of GH result in growth retardation
protein hormone secreted by adipose tissues in response to food consumption that promotes satiety
enlargement of the thyroid gland either as a result of iodine deficiency or hyperthyroidism
clinically abnormal, elevated level of thyroid hormone in the blood; characterized by an increased metabolic rate, excess body heat, sweating, diarrhea, weight loss, and increased heart rate
clinically abnormal, low level of thyroid hormone in the blood; characterized by low metabolic rate, weight gain, cold extremities, constipation, and reduced mental activity
the short-term stress, or the fight-or-flight response, of stage one of the general adaptation syndrome mediated by the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine
the human body’s three-stage response pattern to short- and long-term stress
stage two of the general adaptation syndrome; the body’s continued response to stress after stage one diminishes
stage three of the general adaptation syndrome; the body’s long-term response to stress mediated by the hormones of the adrenal cortex
