reproductive bio ch. 1(2)

What are the two types of glands?

Exocrine glands and endocrine glands.

What do exocrine glands do?

They secrete products into ducts.

Where do exocrine gland ducts empty?

Into body cavities or onto body surfaces.

What do endocrine glands do?

They secrete chemical messengers directly into the bloodstream.

What do endocrine glands control?

Growth and cellular activity of target cells.

What are paracrines?

Chemical messengers produced in endocrine cells that act on adjacent target cells.

Are paracrines transported through the bloodstream?

No. They act on adjacent target cells and are not transported through the bloodstream.

What organs/glands make up the endocrine system according to the notes?

Hypothalamus, pituitary (hypophysis), pineal, thyroid, parathyroids, thymus, adrenals, pancreas, and gonads.

What is another name for the pituitary gland?

Hypophysis.

What is the classical approach used in endocrinology?

Remove a gland, observe the body for adverse effects, administer a preparation of the gland or put it back in its original location, and observe whether the adverse effects are reversed.

What is done first in the classical approach to studying endocrine glands?

The gland is removed.

Why should the removed gland not be thrown away in the classical approach?

It may be needed to prepare a gland extract or to put the gland back in its original location.

What is observed after removing an endocrine gland?

The body is observed for adverse effects.

What can be done after observing adverse effects from gland removal?

A preparation of the gland can be administered or the gland can be put back in its original location.

What is the purpose of administering a gland preparation or replacing the gland?

To observe whether the adverse effects are reversed.

What is a bioassay?

A technique that indirectly measures the amount of hormone in tissue or blood.

What is a dose-response curve?

A relationship established when increasing amounts of hormone result in an increased biological response.

What does a dose-response curve demonstrate in a bioassay?

That increasing amounts of hormone produce increasing biological responses.

What does a bioassay measure?

It indirectly measures the amount of hormone in tissue or blood.

What is radioimmunoassay?

A technique that uses antibodies against a hormone and a radioactive tracer to detect and measure the hormone.

How does radioimmunoassay measure hormones?

It uses antibodies against a hormone and a radioactive tracer.

How does radioimmunoassay compare with bioassay?

Radioimmunoassay is more direct and accurate.

What does ELISA stand for?

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

What does ELISA measure?

Hormones and hormone products.

What does HPLC stand for according to the notes?

High Performance Lipid Chromatography.

What does HPLC identify?

Hormones and other products in biological fluids.

What does gas chromatography with mass spectrometry measure?

Mixed steroidal compounds in plasma or urine.

What type of compounds can gas chromatography with mass spectrometry measure?

Mixed steroidal compounds.

Where can gas chromatography with mass spectrometry measure mixed steroidal compounds?

In plasma or urine.

What is immunochemistry/immunofluorescent staining used for?

Studying the structure and function of endocrine cells.

What are the three types of hormones (ligands) listed in the notes?

Protein (peptide), amine, and steroid hormones.

What are protein (peptide) hormones composed of?

Chains of amino acids.

What are amines?

Derivatives of amino acids that have been chemically altered.

What are steroid hormones derived from?

Cholesterol.

What are androgens?

Steroid hormones involved in the development and maintenance of the male reproductive system.

What is the function of androgens according to the notes?

They are involved in the development and maintenance of the male reproductive system.

What are estrogens?

Steroid hormones that promote development and maintenance of the female reproductive system.

What is the function of estrogens according to the notes?

They promote development and maintenance of the female reproductive system.

What are progestogens (progestins)?

Steroid hormones that influence the secretory phase of the uterus.

What is the function of progestogens/progestins?

They influence the secretory phase of the uterus.

What are hormone ligands?

Hormones, including protein/peptide hormones, amines, and steroids.

What do target tissues possess?

Receptors for binding specific hormones.

Why are target tissues able to respond to specific hormones?

They possess receptors that bind specific hormones.

How many different hormone binding sites do most target tissues have?

Most targets have a binding site for a single hormone.

Can some target tissues have receptors for more than one hormone?

Yes. Some targets have receptors for two different hormones.

What are peptide and protein hormone receptors?

Large molecules with domains associated with G-proteins.

What are the three regions/domains of peptide and protein hormone receptors?

Extracellular, transmembrane, and intracellular regions.

Where is the extracellular portion of a peptide/protein hormone receptor located?

At the amine terminus.

Where is the intracellular portion of a peptide/protein hormone receptor located?

At the carboxy terminus.

What does transmembrane mean in relation to a receptor?

The receptor region that spans the membrane.

What is the extracellular domain of a peptide/protein hormone receptor?

The domain located outside the cell, at the amine terminus.

What is the intracellular domain of a peptide/protein hormone receptor?

The domain located inside the cell, at the carboxy terminus.

What is the difference between endocrine glands and exocrine glands?

Endocrine glands release chemical messengers directly into the bloodstream, while exocrine glands release products into ducts.

What is the difference between paracrines and endocrine chemical messengers?

Paracrines act on adjacent target cells and are not transported through the bloodstream, whereas endocrine glands release chemical messengers directly into the bloodstream.

What is the difference between bioassay and radioimmunoassay?

Bioassay indirectly measures hormone amount through a biological response, while radioimmunoassay more directly and accurately detects and measures hormones using antibodies and a radioactive tracer.

What is the difference between ELISA and HPLC?

ELISA measures hormones and hormone products, while HPLC identifies hormones and other products in biological fluids.

What is the difference between androgens and estrogens?

Androgens are associated with development and maintenance of the male reproductive system, while estrogens promote development and maintenance of the female reproductive system.

What is the difference between peptide/protein hormones, amines, and steroids?

Peptide/protein hormones are chains of amino acids, amines are chemically altered amino acid derivatives, and steroids are derived from cholesterol.

What is the relationship between hormones and receptors?

Target tissues possess specific receptors that bind hormones.

What happens when a hormone encounters its target tissue?

The hormone can bind to a specific receptor on the target tissue.

What type of receptor do peptide and protein hormones have according to the notes?

Large receptor molecules with extracellular, transmembrane, and intracellular domains.

What does the amine terminus correspond to on the peptide/protein hormone receptor?

The extracellular region.

What does the carboxy terminus correspond to on the peptide/protein hormone receptor?

The intracellular region.