pancreas and gonads anaphy lec

PANCREATIC ISLETS

• (______ of Langerhans) are small clusters of endocrine tissue scattered among the exocrine tissue of the pancreas.

• Found in the pancreas, located close to the stomach in the abdominal cavity.

Function: Produce hormones that regulate blood sugar levels.

Alpha Cells

Hormone Produced: Glucagon

• The Job: Glucagon is released when your blood sugar gets too low (like when you haven't eaten in a while, or you're exercising intensely).

The Action: Glucagon travels to your liver and tells it to release stored sugar (called glycogen) into the bloodstream. This prevents your blood sugar from dropping to a dangerous level.

• Analogy: They are the Emergency Crew that taps into the sugar reserves to bring the sugar level back up.

Beta Cells

The Job: Insulin is released when your blood sugar gets too high (like right after you eat a meal rich in carbohydrates).

The Action: Insulin acts like a key that unlocks your body's cells (like muscle and fat cells), allowing them to take sugar (glucose) out of the bloodstream. This lowers the blood sugar and gives your cells the energy they need.

Analogy: They are the Traffic Cop that directs sugar from the blood into the body's cells and storage areas.

Glycogenolysis

The process of breaking down stored glycogen (a large chain of sugar) into usable glucose (simple sugar) for immediate energy. (Quick release of stored sugar).

Gluconeogenesis

The process of creating new glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, primarily fats and proteins. (Making new sugar from building blocks).

Ketogenesis

The process of producing ketones from the breakdown of fats when glucose is scarce, providing an emergency fuel source for the brain and muscles. (Making fat-based backup fuel).

Polyuria

Excessive urination.

Polydipsia

Excessive thirst.

Polyphagia

Excessive hunger due to inability to use glucose.

1

Type _ diabetes is an autoimmune disease.³ This means the body's own immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the cells that make insulin.⁴

• The Problem: The Beta (⁵$\beta$) cells in the pancreas (the ones that make insulin) are destroyed.⁶ The body can no longer produce insulin.

• The Key Analogy: There is no key being made to unlock the cells.

• Cause: It's believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It is not caused by diet or lifestyle.⁷

• Onset: It usually develops in children and young adults, but it can occur at any age.⁸

• Treatment: Requires insulin therapy (injections or pump) for life, as the body cannot produce the insulin it needs.

2

Type _ diabetes is a condition where the body does produce insulin, but the cells stop responding to it effectively.

• The Problem: The body's cells become resistant to insulin. It's like the lock on the cell door is broken or rusty and won't turn with the key. Eventually, the pancreas gets exhausted from trying to make more and more insulin and may start to produce less.

• The Key Analogy: The key (insulin) is present, but the lock (the cell receptor) is broken, so the key doesn't work well.

• Cause: It is strongly linked to lifestyle factors (excess weight, lack of exercise) and genetics.

• Onset: It usually develops in adults (though it is increasingly seen in children).

• Treatment: Often managed with lifestyle changes (diet, exercise), oral medications, and sometimes insulin later on if the pancreas stops producing enough.

gonads

organs that produce sex cells (exocrine function) and sex hormones (endocrine function).

Estrogen

• Develops reproductive organs and secondary sexual characteristics.

• Promotes breast development and regulates the menstrual cycle (with progesterone).

Progesterone

• Maintains pregnancy by quieting uterine muscles.

• Prepares breasts for lactation.

Testosterone

• Stimulates reproductive organ development and secondary sexual characteristics (e.g., facial hair, deep voice, muscle growth).

• Maintains sperm production and male sex drive.

OVARIAN HYPOSECRETION

Impaired ability to conceive or bear children.

TESTICULAR HYPOSECRETION

Leads to sterility; treated with testosterone injections.

Kidneys

The _____ secrete erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates the production of red blood cells in response to low oxygen levels. They also release renin, which plays a key role in blood pressure regulation through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS).

Stomach and Small Intestines

The ______ ____ ________ ____________ produce several hormones, including:

• Ghrelin: Known as the "hunger hormone," it stimulates appetite.

• Gastrin: Stimulates acid production in the stomach.

• Secretin and Cholecystokinin (CCK): Regulate digestive enzymes and bile release.

heart

• The ____ produces atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), which helps lower blood pressure by reducing blood volume and promoting sodium excretion by the kidneys.

Placenta

• The __________ produces several key hormones to support pregnancy:

  • Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): Stimulates the ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone during early pregnancy to maintain the uterine lining.

  • Human Placental Lactogen (hPL): Prepares the breasts for lactation.

  • Relaxin: Relaxes pelvic ligaments to ease childbirth.