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Unit 4
Unit 4
Aryabhatta College
Hypo-secretion inhibits growth in children and causes pituitary dwarf (or midget) (with normal
intelligence and normal body proportions)
Prolactin (Lactogenic Hormone) is a polypeptide hormone whose target is the ovaries
and mammary glands. Prolactin influences the secretion of estrogen/progesterone and
milk production.
a large ductless gland in the neck that secretes hormones
regulating growth and development through the rate of
metabolism.
Lies on both sides of the trachea (windpipe), just below the
larynx (voice box)
Produces thyroxin (manufactured in the gland by the
combination of iodine and amino acid tyrosine)
raises metabolic rate of the cells of the body, hence is important
for normal body functioning
Functioning can be determined by assessing Basal Metabolic
Rate (BMR)
Hyper-thyroidism causes increased BMR (hyperactivity,
nervousness, increased apetite but cannot gain weight)
Hypo-thyroidism in children causes cretinism (condition of
severely stunted physical and mental growth)
Hypo-thyroidism in adult causes myxedema (puffy, bloated
appearance)
Named for their location atop the kidneys (renal=kidney)
Consist of two parts that bear little relation to each other
Adrenal medulla
Core of adrenal gland
Derived from neural tissue
Innervated by the autonomic nervous system
Adrenal cortex
Covering of the adrenal gland
Derived from the same type of tissue as the gonads
Bears a functional relationship to them
Most important hormones produced by the
adrenal cortex are steroids called (corticoids)
Steroids regulate sodium (retention) and
potassium (loss) balance of the body (through the
kidneys)
Produces both a male sex hormone (androgen)
and a female sex hormone (estrogen)
Hyper-secretion is rare in man
Most observable feature in children (sexual
precocity) and masculinity in woman
Hypo-secretion results in Addison’s disease (a
rare disorder)
Excessive elimination of Na and Cl and excessive
retention of K by the kidneys
Excitability of nerves and muscles are reduced
Abdominal pain, weakness and weight loss
Secretes Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and epinephrine (adrenaline) when
stimulated by Sympathetic nerves of ANS (a feature of arousal of body response to
stress)
Norepinephrine raises blood pressure by vasoconstriction (constricting the arteries)
Predominates in states of Rage (e.g. pale appearance during anger)
Epinephrine raises blood pressure by accelerating the heart rate
Predominates in states of Fear (e.g. pounding heart during fear)
Beta cells
Produces a hormone called Insulin, in response to high level of glucose in blood
Insulin inhibits the liver in either making or releasing blood glucose
Further lowers blood glucose by increasing its use by the muscles and other tissues of the body
Insulin output in increased by norepinephrine and epinephrine from adrenal medulla, thereby
increasing stress and alarm reaction
Hyper-secretion of insulin is rare in man and is cured by removal of islet tissues
Hyper-secretion (oversupply of insulin or overdose of insulin in a diabetic) causes hypoglycaemia (low
blood glucose level), because all the stored blood glucose is utilized
Can result in insulin shock convulsions and death