Hormonal Control During Exercise

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to hormonal control during exercise, drawn from the lecture notes.

Endocrine System

A system of glands that release hormones into the bloodstream to communicate and regulate bodily functions.

Homeostasis

The process by which the body maintains a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

Hormones

Chemical messengers released by endocrine glands that regulate physiological processes in the body.

Steroid Hormones

Hormones derived from cholesterol, lipid-soluble, and easily diffuse through cell membranes.

Nonsteroid Hormones

Hormones that are not lipid-soluble and cannot easily cross cell membranes, including protein/peptide hormones and amino acid-derived hormones.

Pulsatile Secretion

The release of hormones in bursts, leading to fluctuations in plasma concentrations over time.

Glucagon

A hormone produced by the pancreas that raises blood glucose levels by promoting glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that lowers blood glucose levels by facilitating glucose uptake into cells.

Aldosterone

A major mineralocorticoid hormone released by the adrenal cortex that influences salt and water balance.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

A hormone secreted by the kidneys in response to low blood oxygen, stimulating red blood cell production.

Catecholamines

Hormones such as epinephrine and norepinephrine released from the adrenal medulla that prepare the body for fight or flight responses.

Glycogenolysis

The process of breaking down glycogen into glucose.

Gluconeogenesis

The metabolic process of generating glucose from non-carbohydrate sources.

Downregulation

A process where the number of receptors on a cell surface decreases in response to high hormone concentrations.

Upregulation

The increase in the number of receptors on a cell surface in response to low hormone concentrations.

Mineralocorticoids

Hormones that regulate sodium and potassium balance in the body, primarily aldosterone.

Fluid Imbalance

A condition where the body's fluids are not at the optimal levels, affecting blood pressure and overall function.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Part of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for 'fight or flight' responses, increasing heart rate and blood pressure.

Hypothalamus

A brain region that regulates various bodily functions, including hormone secretion and temperature control.

Adipose Tissue

Body fat that serves as a major energy reserve and has endocrine functions.