Neuroendocrine Regulation, Homeostasis & Diabetes – Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering adrenaline, norepinephrine, the nervous and endocrine systems, HPA axis, ADH/osmolarity, diabetes mellitus, and related homeostatic concepts from the lecture notes.

Adrenaline

A hormone released during the fight-or-flight response that increases breathing rate and mobilizes energy by promoting glycogenolysis and lipolysis.

Glycogenolysis

The breakdown of glycogen in the liver and muscle to glucose, supplying quick energy.

Lipolysis

The breakdown of triglycerides in adipose tissue to release fatty acids for energy.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter released by sympathetic neurons into synapses; binds to adrenergic receptors, increasing heart rate, causing vasoconstriction, and enhancing alertness.

Adrenergic receptors

Receptors on target cells that bind adrenaline or noradrenaline to produce specific physiological effects.

Fight or flight response

A rapid set of bodily changes prepared for confronting or fleeing from danger.

Endocrine system

A body system that uses hormones released into the blood to produce slow, widespread, long-lasting effects.

Nervous system

A body system that uses electrical impulses and neurotransmitters to produce fast, targeted, short-lived effects.

HPA reflex

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal reflex; an automatic, involuntary response that mobilizes energy stores during stress.

Baroreceptors

Sensor receptors that detect changes in blood pressure as part of the reflex pathway.

Osmolarity

A measure of solute concentration in blood; increases stimulate ADH release.

ADH (antidiuretic hormone / vasopressin)

A hormone that increases water reabsorption in the kidneys by acting on the collecting ducts.

Aquaporins

Water channels inserted into collecting duct membranes under ADH influence to promote water reabsorption.

Collecting duct

The nephron segment where ADH promotes water reabsorption by inserting aquaporins.

Diabetes mellitus

A hormonal imbalance caused by insufficient insulin action, leading to high blood glucose (hyperglycemia).

Type 1 diabetes

Low insulin production due to autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells.

Type 2 diabetes

Insulin resistance leading to impaired glucose uptake and elevated blood glucose.

Hyperglycemia

High blood glucose resulting from inadequate insulin action.

Hypoglycemia

Low blood glucose; can cause seizures, unconsciousness, or death due to insufficient brain glucose.

Glucagon

A hormone that raises blood glucose by stimulating glycogenolysis in the liver.

Insulin

A hormone that enables glucose uptake into cells; deficiency or resistance causes elevated blood glucose.

Blood glucose concentration

The amount of glucose in the blood; used as a measurement in investigations.

Stress hormone level

Level of hormones released in response to stress (e.g., cortisol), used as a metric in animal studies.

Hypothalamus

A brain region that initiates HPA axis responses to stress.

Pituitary

A gland that releases hormones in the HPA axis upon hypothalamic signals.

HPA axis

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis; a hormonal cascade coordinating stress responses.