Endocrine System and Hormones Lecture

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the endocrine system, hormones, their actions, and classifications.

Pineal gland

A gland located in the brain that produces melatonin, which regulates sleep-wake cycles.

Hypothalamus

A region of the brain that controls the pituitary gland and regulates homeostasis, including temperature and hunger.

Pituitary gland

Often referred to as the 'master gland', it secretes hormones that influence other glands.

Hormones

Chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream to target organs, influencing various physiological processes.

Adrenal glands

Glands located on top of the kidneys that produce hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

Testes

Male reproductive glands that produce sperm and testosterone.

Ovaries

Female reproductive glands that produce eggs and hormones like estrogen and progesterone.

Negative feedback mechanism

A regulatory mechanism where the output of a system inhibits its own production to maintain homeostasis.

HPA Axis

Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis, the system involved in the stress response.

Peptide hormones

Hormones made of strings of amino acids that include hormones such as insulin and glucagon.

Steroid hormones

Hormones derived from cholesterol with a chemical structure consisting of four interconnected carbon rings.

Amine hormones

Hormones derived from amino acids; examples include epinephrine and thyroxine.

Target organs

Organs that have receptors for specific hormones and upon which these hormones exert their actions.

Receptors

Proteins on or in target cells that bind hormones, initiating a response.

Oxytocin

A hormone produced by the hypothalamus that is involved in childbirth and lactation.

Vasopressin

A hormone also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH) that helps regulate blood pressure.

Tropic hormones

Hormones that act on other endocrine glands to stimulate them to release their hormones.