LJGC

COMPONENTS:
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
 Endocrine glands:
o Secrete their product directly into
blood stream
 Chemical signal:
o Molecules that are released from
one location, move to another
location, and produce a response
o TYPES:
 Intracellular –produce in
one part of a cell and move
to another part of some cell
 Intercellular – released
from one cell and bind to
receptors on another cell

Types of Intercellular Signals

 Autocrine – released by cells and have local

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM – composed of effect on same cell type
endocrine glands and specialized endocrine cells  Paracrine – released by cells that affect other
located throughout the body. cell types in close proximity
- Ex. Somatostatin (inhibits insulin
- Greek word, “endo” (within) and secretion)
“krino” (secrete); endocrine  Neurotransmitter and neuromodulators –
secrete hormones to the secreted by nerve cells
bloodstream rather than to the - Ex. Nervous system function
duct.  Pheromones – secreted into environment and
modify behavior and physiology of other
individual in same species
Endocrine Glands: not to be confused with - Ex. Women and menstrual cycles
exocrine glands.  Hormones and neurohormones – secreted into
blood and bind to receptor sites
Exocrine Glands: have ducts that carry their - Ex. Epinephrine and insulin
secretions to the outside of the body, or into a hollow
organ, such as the stomach and intestines.

: e.g. saliva, sweat, breast milk, and

digestive enzyme

Endocrinology – the study of endocrine system

which presents the general principles of hormones
and we discuss specific hormones and their
functions.

FUNCTIONS:
1. Controls homeostasis
2. Maintains water balance
3. Controls uterine contractions
Components of Hormones:
4. Controls milk production
5. Regulates ions (calcium, sodium, potassium)  Receptor site – location on a cell where
6. Regulates metabolism and growth hormone binds (lock)
7. Regulates hear rate and blood pressure  Target tissues – group of cells that respond to
8. Monitors blood glucose levels specific hormones
9. Aids the immune system  Specificity – specific hormones bind to specific
10. Reproductive functions receptor sites
 LJGC

Regulation of Hormones:
 Blood levels of chemicals – ex. Blood
glucose levels (insulin)
How does this work?
 Other hormones – ex. TSH signals thyroid
1. Hormones are secreted by endocrine glands gland to release thyroid hormone
directly into bloodstream  Nervous system – ex. Epinephrine and fight
2. Hormones travel to all parts of the body or flight response
3. Hormones (key) bind to receptor site (lock)  Negative feedback – tells body when
on target tissue homeostasis is reached
4. Response occurs

How do hormones cause change?

 Alter cell activity of target tissues by

increasing or decreasing cell’s normal
processes
 Change permeability of cell membrane by
opening or closing ion channels
 Synthesis of proteins

Types of Hormones:
Water soluble – includes proteins, peptides,
amino acids
- Most common
- Ex. Growth hormone, antidiuretic,
prolactin, etc.
Lipid hormones – includes steroids and
eicosanoids
- Ex. LH, FSH, androgens
 LJGC
Hormone Receptors and Mechanism
of Action:
1. Lipid Soluble Hormones bind to Nuclear
Receptors
2. Water Soluble Hormones bind to Membrane-
Bound Receptors
3. Intracellular Receptor Hormones

Pituitary Gland:
 Master gland
 Small gland in brain
 Controlled by hypothalamus
 Divided into 2 regions: anterior and
posterior
 Secretes at least 6 hormones
Anterior Pituitary Gland
 Growth Hormone:
- Target tissues: liver, adipose
- Functions: stimulates growth of
bones, muscles, and organs
- Abnormalities: too much GH
causes giantism /gigantism
: too little GH
causes
pituitary
dwarfism

 Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH):

- Target tissues: thyroid gland
- Functions: regulate thyroid gland
secretion
- Abnormalities: too much TSH,
thyroid gland enlarges
: too little TSH,
thyroid gland
shrinks
 LJGC
o Can lead to
dehydration and
thirst
 Oxytocin:
- Target tissues: uterus
- Functions: increases uterine
contractions during labor

 Gonadotropins:
o LH (Luteinizing) for females:
- Target tissue: ovaries
- Function: promotes
ovulation and
progesterone
production Thyroid Gland:
o LH for males:
- Target tissue: testes  One of largest glands
- Function: sperm  Requires iodine to function
production and  Thyroid hormones:
testosterone - Target tissue: thyroid
o FSH (Follicle-Stimulating) for - Functions: regulates
females: metabolic rates and is
- Target tissue: follicles in needed for growth
ovaries  Abnormalities:
- Function: follicle  Hypothyroidism:
maturation and - Decreased metabolism
estrogen secretion - Weight gain, reduced
o FSH for males: appetite, fatigue
- Target tissue: - Low temperature and
seminiferous tubules pulse
(testes) - Dry, cold skin
- Function: sperm - Myxedema in adults
production - Cretinism in infants
- Hashimoto’s disease
 Prolactin:
- Target tissues: mammary glands  Hyperthyroidism:
and ovaries - Increased metabolism
- Function: milk production - Weight loss, increased
appetite, nervousness
Posterior Pituitary Gland - Higher temperature and
pulse
 Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH): - Warm, flushed skin
- Target tissues: kidneys - Grave’s disease (leads
- Functions: conserve water to goiter)
- Abnormalities:
 Diabetes insipidus:
o Low ADH
o Kidneys to
produce large
amount of dilute
(watery) urine
 LJGC

 Calcitonin:
- Target tissues: bones
- Functions: secreted when Ca2+
levels are high

Thyroid Gland:
 Parathyroid hormone (PTH):
- Target tissues: bones and kidneys
- Functions: regulates blood Ca2+
levels (more than calcitonin)

If Ca2+ is low then osteoclasts break

down bone matrix and less Ca2+ is lost
in urine.

If Ca2+ is high then osteoclasts don’t

break down bone matrix and more
Ca2+ is lost in urine.
 LJGC
Adrenal Glands blood pressure and
blood volume
 On kidneys
If the body receives signal that the body has
 2 regions (medulla and cortex)
low blood pressure, the renin aldosterone
angiotensin system pathway will be activated and
Adrenal Medulla (inner portion): signal to work, because of the stimulus.
 Epinephrine/Norepinephrine
- Target tissues: heart,
blood vessels, liver, fat
cells
- Functions: released as
part of fight or flight
response

 Cortisol:
- Type of glucocorticoids
- Functions: increases breakdown
of fat and protein for energy uses
reduces inflammatory and immune
response

 Androgens:
- Target tissues: gonads
- Functions:
 Males: secondary sexual
characteristics
 Females: sex drive

Adrenal Cortex (outer portion):

 Aldosterone:
- Type of
mineralocorticoids
- Target tissue: kidneys
- Functions: causes Na+
and H2 O to be retained
and K+ to be secreted,
indirectly involved with
 LJGC
 Glucagon:
- Target tissues: liver
- Functions: regulates blood
glucose levels
: between meals
glucose levels drop
and glucagon is
secreted
: glucagon allows
glycogen to be broken
down into glucose

Pancreas
 Organ in abdomen
 Insulin:
- Target tissues: liver, skeletal
muscle, adipose tissue
- Functions: regulated blood
glucose levels
: after a meal, glucose
are high and insulin is
secreted
: extra glucose is
stored in form of
glycogen
Testes
 Testosterone:
- Target tissues: male reproductive
organ
- Functions: aids in sperm and
reproductive organ development
and function

Ovaries
 Estrogen/Progesterone:
- Target tissues: female
o Abnormalities: reproductive system (uterus),
 Diabetes mellitus: mammary gland
- Causes: too little - Functions: involved in uterine and
insulin or faulty insulin mammary gland development and
receptors menstrual cycle
- Symptoms:
exaggerated appetite
(polyphagia), excess
urine (polyuria),
dehydration,
excessive thirst
(polydipsia), fatigue
- Type I: insulin
dependent (daily
injections required)
- Type II: insulin
independent, often
found in obese
people, can be treated
with diet but can turn
into type I
 LJGC
Thymus gland
 Thymosin:
- Target tissues: immune system
tissues
- Functions: promotes immune
system development and function

Pineal Body (gland)

 Melatonin:
- Target tissues: hypothalamus
- Functions: plays a role in onset of
puberty and controls circadian
rhythms. Light affects its function.

Placenta Lactogen:

Hormone responsible for pregnant women

having diabetes gestational mellitus.