Cellular Communication, Endocrine System, and Blood Practive Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering cellular communication, homeostasis, the endocrine system, stress responses, endocrine pathologies, and blood components based on anatomy and physiology lecture notes.

Cellular communication

The way cells “talk” to each other so the body can maintain homeostasis.

Homeostasis

A stable internal environment maintained through cellular coordination.

Intracellular communication

Communication that occurs within a single cell to pass information from one part to another.

Intercellular communication

Communication that occurs between different cells, allowing tissues and organs to work together.

Signaling molecules

Chemical messengers used by cells to communicate, such as hormones or neurotransmitters.

Hormones

Chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands that travel through the bloodstream to target organs.

Neurotransmitters

A type of signaling molecule used for communication, typically within the nervous system.

Cytokines

Common signaling molecules often involved in the immune system.

Growth factors

Proteins that act as signaling molecules to coordinate cellular growth and activity.

Target cells

Cells that have specific receptors allowing them to recognize and bind to signaling molecules.

Receptors

Proteins that recognize and bind to specific signaling molecules.

Signaling cell

A cell that releases a chemical messenger to transmit information.

Signal transduction

A chain of events inside a cell triggered by a messenger binding to a receptor.

Nervous system

A body system responsible for fast responses that works with the endocrine system to maintain homeostasis.

Endocrine system

A system of glands that manage slow, long-term body activities using hormones.

Endocrine glands

Glands such as the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands that produce hormones.

Pituitary gland

An endocrine gland at the base of the brain that influences other glands; often called the 'master gland'.

Thyroid gland

A gland in the neck that produces hormones to regulate metabolic rate, heart rate, and body temperature.

Adrenal glands

Glands on top of the kidneys that release hormones for the stress response and blood pressure control.

Feedback mechanisms

Systems that detect changes in conditions or hormone levels to trigger an adjustment response.

Negative feedback

The most common feedback mechanism that works to keep conditions within a normal range by reversing changes.

Positive feedback

A less common feedback mechanism that strengthens and amplifies an original stimulus until an endpoint is reached.

Diabetes

A disorder that can result from disruptions in hormone signaling, specifically insulin.

Thyroid disease

A condition resulting from disrupted feedback control or hormone signaling in the thyroid gland.

Pancreas

An organ that produces insulin and glucagon to help keep blood glucose within a normal range.

Ovaries

Endocrine organs that produce sex hormones supporting reproduction and secondary sex characteristics.

Testes

Endocrine organs in males that produce sex hormones supporting reproduction.

Water-soluble hormones

Hormones, like peptide hormones, that usually bind to receptors on the cell membrane.

Peptide hormones

A class of water-soluble hormones that relay signals inside the cell using second messengers.

Second messengers

Molecules like cyclic AMP used by water-soluble hormones to relay signals inside a cell.

Cyclic AMP

A common second messenger used by water-soluble hormones to communicate within a cell.

Lipid-soluble hormones

Hormones like steroids that can pass through the cell membrane and bind to internal receptors.

Steroid hormones

A type of lipid-soluble hormone that can change which genes are turned on or off.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that lowers blood glucose by promoting glucose uptake and storage.

Glucagon

A hormone produced by the pancreas that raises blood glucose by stimulating the liver to release glucose.

Oxytocin

A hormone released during childbirth that increases uterine contractions through positive feedback.

Hypothalamus

A brain region that links the nervous and endocrine systems by controlling the pituitary gland.

Stress

Any stimulus that challenges the state of homeostasis within the body.

General Adaptation Syndrome

A predictable pattern of physiological changes used by the body to cope with ongoing stress.

Alarm stage

The first stage of stress response, preparing the body for 'fight-or-flight'.

Epinephrine

Also known as adrenaline, a hormone released during the alarm stage to increase heart rate and blood pressure.

Norepinephrine

A hormone released by the adrenal medulla for quick stress responses.

Resistance stage

The second stage of stress response where the body tries to adapt and maintain function through cortisol.

Cortisol

A hormone from the adrenal cortex that raises blood glucose to provide fuel during the resistance stage.

Exhaustion stage

The final stage of the stress response where resources are depleted and immune function weakens.

HPA axis

The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis used to coordinate stress responses.

Adrenal cortex

The outer part of the adrenal gland that releases cortisol under the direction of the pituitary.

Adrenal medulla

The inner part of the adrenal gland that releases epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Primary endocrine disorder

A disorder starting in the endocrine gland that produces the hormone (e.g., hyperthyroidism starting in the thyroid).

Hyperthyroidism

A primary disorder where the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone.

Hypothyroidism

A primary disorder where the thyroid gland makes too little thyroid hormone.

Secondary endocrine disorder

A disorder starting in the pituitary gland, affecting its ability to stimulate other glands.

Growth hormone deficiency

A condition often caused by the pituitary failing to release enough stimulating growth hormone.

Tertiary endocrine disorder

A disorder starting in the hypothalamus, disrupting the signals sent to the pituitary gland.

GnRH

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone; its decreased release is an example of a tertiary endocrine disorder.

Hormone replacement

A treatment for endocrine disorders where low hormone levels are supplemented.

Leptin

A hormone that helps regulate body weight and appetite to maintain homeostasis.

Blood

A liquid connective tissue that transports oxygen, nutrients, and removes waste.

Erythrocytes

Red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that binds to oxygen in the lungs and releases it in tissues.

Biconcave shape

The shape of red blood cells that increases their surface area for oxygen exchange.

Hematocrit

A measurement of the percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells.

Leukocytes

White blood cells that protect the body from infection and pathogens.

Lymphocytes

A type of white blood cell in adaptive immunity, including B cells and T cells.

Phagocytes

Immune cells that engulf and destroy microbes and debris.

Thrombocytes

Also known as platelets; cell fragments central to the process of hemostasis.

Hemostasis

The process that prevents excessive blood loss through vasoconstriction, platelet plug formation, and coagulation.

Vasoconstriction

The first stage of hemostasis where the injured vessel narrows to reduce blood flow.

Platelet plug formation

The second stage of hemostasis where platelets adhere and recruit more platelets using ADP and thromboxane.

ADP

A signal released during platelet plug formation to recruit more platelets to the site of injury.

Thromboxane

A signaling molecule released by platelets to help form a platelet plug.

Coagulation

The final stage of hemostasis where clotting factors form fibrin strands to stabilize the blood clot.

Fibrin

Protein strands that stabilize a platelet plug during coagulation to produce a stronger clot.

Plasma

The liquid portion of blood, mostly water, which carries proteins, electrolytes, and nutrients.

ABO system

The system used to classify blood types based on the presence of A and B antigens on red blood cells.

Type A blood

Blood characterized by having A antigens on red blood cells and anti-B antibodies in plasma.

Type B blood

Blood characterized by having B antigens on red blood cells and anti-A antibodies in plasma.

Type AB blood

Blood characterized by having both A and B antigens and no anti-A or anti-B antibodies.

Type O blood

Blood characterized by having neither A nor B antigens and both anti-A and anti-B antibodies.

Rh factor

An antigen system where the presence or absence of the Rh antigen determines positive or negative blood types.

Hemolytic transfusion reaction

A reaction where the recipient’s immune system destroys donor red blood cells due to incompatibility.

TRALI

Transfusion-related acute lung injury, a potential risk of blood transfusions.

Neutrophils

The most abundant white blood cells and first responders that perform phagocytosis on bacteria.

B cells

Lymphocytes that produce antibodies to support humoral immunity.

T cells

Lymphocytes involved in cell-mediated immunity, including helper and cytotoxic types.

Humoral immunity

A type of adaptive immunity supported by B cells producing antibodies.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by B cells that bind to specific antigens to neutralize pathogens.

Helper T cells

T cells that release cytokines to coordinate the activity of the immune system.

Cytotoxic T cells

Also called killer T cells; they destroy infected or abnormal/cancerous cells.

Monocytes

White blood cells that circulate in the blood and mature into macrophages in tissues.

Macrophages

Powerful phagocytes that ingest pathogens and present antigens to T cells.

Adaptive immunity

A targeted immune response involving lymphocytes that recognizes specific antigens.

Phagocytosis

The process by which cells like neutrophils and macrophages engulf and break down debris or bacteria.

Electrolytes

Substances like sodium and potassium carried in plasma that are essential for cell function.

Metabolic rate

How quickly the body uses energy, primarily set by thyroid hormones.

Secondary sex characteristics

Physical traits supported by sex hormones produced in the ovaries and testes.

Releasing hormones

Signals from the hypothalamus that encourage the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.

Inhibiting hormones

Signals from the hypothalamus that slow down the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.

Fight-or-flight

A rapid physiological response to stress triggered by the release of adrenaline.

Clotting factors

Proteins in the blood that work to form fibrin strands during coagulation.