human biology chapter 2.2 & 2.3

what is the role of the hypothalamus

serves as a connection between the nervous and endocrine system, regulates body functions such as body temp, water balance and heart rate. aswell as increasing/decreasing secretions of other glands

where is the hypothalamus located

base of the brain, above the pituitary & infundibulum

how does the hypothalamus stimulate secretion of hormones in the anterior lobe of the pituitary

secretes releasing factors or inhibiting factors. these factors travel through the blood vessels to the anterior lobe

how does the hypothalamus stimulate secretion of hormones in the posterior lobe of the pituitary

hormones are produced in the hypothalamus and then pass along the nerve fibres to be stored and released by the posterior pituitary gland

how does the anterior lobe connect to the hypothalamus

network of blood vessels that pass through the infundibulum to the anterior lobe

how does the posterior lobe connect to the hypothalamus

nerve fibres that come from nerve cell bodies in the hypothalamus and passes thru the infundibulum to the posterior lobe.

what is the main difference between the 2 lobes of the pituitary?

anterior produces and releases hormones, posterior only stores and releases hormones produced by the hypothalamus (posterior is not a gland)

what hormones are produced from the anterior pituitary

gonadotropins, growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, prolactin

what hormones are released from the posterior pituitary

antidiuretic hormone & oxytocin

what triggers the release of hormones from the posterior pituitary

triggered by nerve impulses initiated in the hypothalamus and conducted along the nerve fibres

which hormone does the pineal gland secrete & its role

melatonin. involved in the regulation of sleep patterns.