Chapter 16 Summary Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and terms from the lecture notes on hormones and the endocrine system.

Hormones

Chemical messengers that stimulate changes in metabolic activity in target cells.

Target Cell

The specific cell that a hormone affects based on receptor recognition.

CAMP

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate, a second messenger that activates protein kinases in response to hormone binding.

Steroid Hormones

Hormones derived from cholesterol that bind to intracellular receptors.

Peptide Hormones

Hormones made of amino acids that bind to receptors on the plasma membrane of target cells.

Up-regulation

The process by which target cells increase the number of receptors in response to a hormone.

Down-regulation

The process by which target cells decrease the number of receptors in response to prolonged hormone exposure.

Humoral Stimulation

Hormonal release triggered by changing blood levels of certain ions or nutrients.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM)

A chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar due to hyposecretion of insulin.

Pituitary Gland

An endocrine gland connected to the hypothalamus, responsible for secreting various hormones.

Prolactin

A hormone produced by the anterior pituitary that stimulates milk production in mammary glands.

Adrenal Cortex Zones

Includes zona glomerulosa (produces mineralocorticoids), zona fasciculata (produces glucocorticoids), and zona reticularis (produces sex hormones).

Calcitonin (CT)

A hormone produced by the thyroid gland that lowers blood calcium levels.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

A hormone that increases blood levels of calcium ions.

Thyroxine (T4)

A hormone produced by the thyroid gland that regulates metabolism.