IB15a Learning Objectives for Endocrine System

NOTE: Learning Objectives for the entire respiratory system are in a separate doc

Part I: The Endocrine System

• Describe the functions of the endocrine system
• List the major endocrine organs, describe their locations and state whether they contain only endocrine cells or a
large proportion of endocrine cells
• Describe the basic interaction between hormones and their target cells
• Describe three mechanisms that control hormone secretion
• Name the basic divisions of the pituitary gland
• List the hormones secreted by the anterior lobe (of the pituitary) and the cell type that secretes each. State the
basic functions of each hormone.
• Explain how the hypothalamus controls secretion of the anterior lobe hormones and the posterior lobe hormones
• Define releasing hormones and trace their path through the pituitary gland
• Describe the structure of the posterior lobe (of the pituitary gland) and the functions of the hormones it releases
• Describe the anatomy and function of the thyroid gland
o Define and describe the effects of thyroid hormone (TH) and calcitonin and how they are secreted
• Describe the anatomy and function of the parathyroid glands
o Describe the secretion and function of parathyroid hormone
• Name the two divisions of the adrenal gland, and compare and contrast them in terms of their structure and the
hormones they secrete (and the functions of these hormones)
• Describe the endocrine functions of the pineal gland, pancreas, thymus, and gonads
Identify these endocrine organs and state whether they are partially or
entirely comprised of endocrine cells
 Pineal gland*

Hypothalamus

Pituitary gland*
Identify these endocrine organs and state whether they are partially or
entirely comprised of endocrine cells Thyroid gland*

Parathyroid glands*

* = organ with only endocrine cells

Thymus

Adrenal glands*

Pancreas

Gonads
Ovary (female)
Testis (male)
 Corpus
callosum
Label the diagram
Thalamus
 Corpus
callosum
Label the diagram
Thalamus

Pineal

Hypothalamus

infundibulum
Anterior
o be
lobe rl
Pars nervosa r io
te
P os

Pituitary Gland
Name the three mechanisms that determine hormone secretion and give at least one example of
a hormone secreted by each of these mechanisms
 Name the three mechanisms that determine hormone secretion and give at least one example of a hormone secreted by each of these mechanisms
Humoral Neural
parathyroid glands respond to low blood calcium levels by secreting parathyroid The hypothalamus then
hormone which increases blood calcium levels neurally stimulates the
posterior pituitary to secrete
thyroid gland responds to high blood calcium levels by secreting calcitonin which oxytocin & antidiuretic
decreases blood calcium levels hormone (ADH).
• antidiuretic hormone
(ADH): “inhibiting
urination”: induces the
kidneys to resorb more
water and return it to the
bloodstream.
Pancreas secretes • Oxytocin: “childbirth
• glucagon: Signals the liver to release glucose (increases blood sugar levels) hormone aka love
• Insulin: signals most cells to take up glucose from the blood and promotes storage of hormone”: induces
glucose (as glycogen) by the liver (lowers blood sugar levels) contraction of the smooth
musculature
• Somatostatin (growth hormone inhibiting hormone- GHIH): inhibits secretion of of reproductive organs in
glucagon and insulin. Inhibits secretion of other hormones both males and females
(initiates labor and milk
ejection)
Thymus secretes thymic hormones to stimulate production of T cells The adrenal medulla is
neurally stimulated to secrete
two hormones that enhance
the fight-or-flight response:
• Epinephrine (adreniline)
• Norepinephrine (a
neurotransmitter)
Hypothalamus may neurally
induce the pineal gland to
secrete melatonin to promote
sleepiness
Hormonal
The anterior pituitary is hormonally activated (by the hypothalamus) to
secrete adenohypophysis hormones:
• Prolactin: to breasts for mammary gland development and lactation
(milk secretion)
• Somatotropin = Human Growth hormone (hGH): to many tissues to
stimulate somatic growth
• Melanocyte stimulating Hormone (MSH): to CNS for appetite
suppression
The anterior pituitary is hormonally activated (by the hypothalamus) to
secrete tropic hormones, which in turn, hormonally activate other
endocrine glands:
The anterior pituitary secretes adrenocorticotropic hormone which
causes the adrenal cortex to secrete: mineralcorticoid (a corticosteroid
that increases blood pressure and helps retain sodium and water for
coping with long-term stress)
Glococorticoid (a corticosteroid that acts to suppress immune system,
increase blood sugar and breakdown fats for energy)
The anterior pituitary secretes Luteinizing hormone to the Ovary & testis
to secrete sex hormones: progesterone and testosterone
The anterior pituitary secretes Follicle stimulating hormone to the ovary
for follicle/ oocyte development
The anterior pituitary secretes thyroid stimulating hormone which
causes the thyroid gland to secrete thyroid hormone (increases
metabolic rate)