AP Biology

Endocrine System and Hormones –

Overall Function and Feedback
Mechanisms
Signal Transduction Pathway
 Kinases “turn on” processes
Phosphotases “turn off” processes
Basic Hormone Pattern
Pathway Example Hormone – a chemical
produced in one part of the
Low blood
Stimulus
glucose body that travels to another
Receptor part of the body (target
protein tissue) and elicits a response.
Pancreas
secretes
glucagon ( )
Endocrine The basic mechanism of the
cell endocrine system can be
Blood seen in the diagram to the
vessel
left:
1.A stimulus is recognized by
the body.
2.Endocrine cells release a
Target
effectors Liver hormone into the blood
stream.
3.The hormone travels
throughout the body to the
Response Glycogen target tissue.
breakdown,
glucose release 4.The appropriate response
into blood is triggered.
Simple endocrine pathway
Remember the “hands” on cell
membranes? (In GREEN)
Just as we discussed
with the nervous
system and the
immune system, the
endocrine system
works through
interactions between
chemicals and protein
receptors found on
the surface of all cells
throughout the body.
 Hormonal System of
Communication
• There are three majors parts to the hormonal
system of communication:
1. Exocrine: a hormone is secreted by a gland, and the target is
the outside of the body.
– Ex. Sweat and pheromones
2. Endocrine: a hormone is secreted by a gland, enters the blood
stream and targets tissues in the body.
– Ex. Insulin, glycogen, ADH, Oxytocin, etc.
3. Neurosecretory: these are specialized neurons that can also
secrete hormones.
– Ex. Hypothalamus, pituitary
LE 45-7

Hypothalamus

Neurosecretory
cells of the Axon
hypothalamus

Posterior
pituitary
Anterior
pituitary

HORMONE ADH Oxytocin

TARGET Kidney tubules Mammary glands,

uterine muscles
 Cytokines
IL 1 – Helper T to Cytotoxic T Cell
IL2 – Helper T to B Cell
 Different Types of Hormones
• The two major types of hormones found in living organisms are steroid
hormones and peptide hormones. These work differently when targeting cells.

1. Steroid (lipid-based) hormones – steroid hormones are lipid-based, so they can

easily pass through the phospholipid bilayer. Once in the cell, they target
receptors deep in the cytoplasm or the nucleus. Ex. Testosterone, estrogen,
aldosterone

2. Peptide (protein-based) hormones – peptide hormones are protein-based, so

they can not pass directly through the phospholipid bilayer. These hormones
must bind to a cell-surface receptor and then transmit their message into the
cell. This follows the stereotypical signal transduction pathway.
Ex. Prolactin, HGH, oxytocin, insulin, glucagon
 SECRETORY SECRETORY
CELL CELL

Hormone Hormone
molecule molecule

VIA VIA
BLOOD BLOOD

Signal receptor
Peptide and Steroid
Monoamine Hormone
TARGET
Hormone Binding CELL
TARGET Bonding
CELL
Signal
transduction
pathway
Signal
OR receptor

Cytoplasmic DNA
response
Signal
transduction
mRNA
and response
DNA
Nuclear NUCLEUS
response
Synthesis of
NUCLEUS specific proteins

Receptor in plasma membrane Receptor in cell nucleus

Many hormones are involved in negative feedback loops. The most easily
understood examples are insulin and glucagon. When changes in blood
sugar are sensed by the body, these hormones are secreted to reverse the
change. The secretion of the hormone stops the situation.
TRH

TSH
Positive feedback loops are also very important in living organisms. These are
the opposite of negative feedback. The production of a hormone causes
continued production of a hormone, or the continuation of a behavior. Oxytocin
and prolactin are examples of hormones that function through positive
feedback.
Human Endocrine Glands
Important Human Endocrine Glands:
1.Hypothalamus – produces
hormones that regulate the pituitary
2.Pituitary Gland – major gland that
produces hormones that travel
throughout the body
3.Thyroid Gland – produces
hormones that regulate metabolism
4.Pancreas – produces hormones that
regulate blood sugar
5.Thymus Gland – produces
hormones that stimulate production of
T-Cells
6.Adrenal Glands – produces
hormones that stimulate “fight or flight”
and kidney function
7.Ovaries – female sex hormones
8.Testes – male sex hormones
 Tropic Hormones of
the Anterior Pituitary

Tropic Effects Only Neurosecretory cells

FSH, follicle-stimulating hormone of the hypothalamus
LH, luteinizing hormone
TSH, thyroid-stimulating hormone
ACTH, adrenocorticotropic hormone
Nontropic Effects Only
Prolactin
MSH, melanocyte-stimulating hormone
Endorphin
Portal vessels
Nontropic and Tropic Effects
Growth hormone

Hypothalamic Endocrine cells of the

releasing anterior pituitary
hormones
(red dots) Pituitary hormones
(blue dots)

HORMONE FSH and LH TSH ACTH Prolactin MSH Endorphin Growth hormone

TARGET Testes or Thyroid Adrenal Mammary Melanocytes Pain receptors Liver Bones
ovaries cortex glands in the brain