Hormone Notecards

A comprehensive set of practice flashcards covering the hormones of the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and other glands, including their stimuli and physiological effects.

What is the source, stimulus, and action of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)?

Released by the Anterior Pituitary and stimulated by CRH from the hypothalamus, ACTH targets the adrenal cortex to stimulate steroid release.

What stimulates the release of Prolactin and what is its primary effect?

It is stimulated by a reduction in PIH release from the hypothalamus and acts on the breast and uterus to stimulate milk production and other maternal physiological changes.

What is the role of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)?

Released by the Anterior Pituitary and stimulated by TRH, it targets the thyroid to stimulate thyroxine release.

How does Luteinizing Hormone (LH) affect the gonads?

Stimulated by GnRH from the hypothalamus, LH triggers the release of sex steroids from the gonads.

What is the action of Growth Hormone and its target?

Stimulated by GHRH, Growth Hormone targets all cells of the body to stimulate mitosis ($cell division = growth$).

Which hormone stimulates sex cell development (egg and sperm)?

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), which is released by the Anterior Pituitary and stimulated by GnRH.

What are the source and actions of Oxytocin?

Released by the Posterior Pituitary, it is stimulated by neurons from the hypothalamus to cause milk ejection, maternal behavior, and pair bonding.

What is the alternative name for Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) and what does it target?

Also known as vasopressin, it targets the kidneys to stimulate water retention, resulting in concentrated urine.

What is the 'calorigenic effect' associated with Thyroxine ($T_3$ and $T_4$)?

It refers to the hormone's action in regulating the rate of metabolism in all cells of the body.

What triggers the release of Melatonin from the Pineal gland?

Neurons of the visual cortex perceiving darkness stimulate its release to promote sleep in the brain.

How does Thymosine contribute to the immune system?

Released by the Thymus, it stimulates bone marrow and immune cells to promote T-cell production and cell-mediated immunity.

What is the effect of Calcitonin on blood calcium concentration?

It decreases blood calcium by stimulating bone deposit and inhibiting calcium absorption in the GI tract.

How do Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and Calcitonin differ in their stimuli?

Calcitonin is stimulated by high blood calcium concentration, whereas PTH is stimulated by low blood calcium concentration.

What are the targets and purpose of Epinephrine and Norepinephrine?

Released by the adrenal medulla during sympathetic nervous system stimulation, they target fight-or-flight organs to modify systems for acute stress response.

How does Insulin regulate blood sugar levels?

Released by the Pancreas in response to high blood sugar, it aids glucose entry into liver, muscle, and fat cells, decreasing blood sugar to normal levels.

What is the role of Glucagon in glucose management?

Released by the Pancreas when blood sugar is low, it targets the liver to increase glucose manufacture and release, raising blood sugar to normal levels.

What hormone(s) stimulate female sexual priming and ovum maturation?

Estrogen and Progesterone, which are released by the ovaries in response to LH from the anterior pituitary.

What triggers the release of testosterone and what are its actions?

LH from the anterior pituitary stimulates the testes to release testosterone, influencing male reproductive development, sperm production, and sexual behaviors.

Which three factors stimulate the release of Aldosterone?

ACTH, dehydration, and the hormone angiotensin.

What is the physiological action of Aldosterone on the kidneys?

It stimulates sodium and water reabsorption while promoting potassium excretion.

What is the function of Androgens released by the adrenal cortex?

They are stimulated by ACTH and are converted to sex steroids (testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone) by the gonads.

What are the effects of Cortisol on the body?

As part of the chronic stress response, it increases glucose production and metabolism and suppresses the immune response.