BSC 3022 Review Sheet Chapter 14

last updated Spring 2014

Endocrine System
Answer the following questions as completely as possible, referring to
your class notes and textbook. They are designed to help you process
and review course material. Questions on quizzes and exams will also
deal with these topics, but will be specific and in a M/C and T/F format.
Quiz and exam questions may not be limited to the topics covered
here.
1. Contrast endocrine glands and exocrine glands in terms of 1) what they
secrete and 2) where they secrete. Give specific examples of each type of
gland.
a. ENDOCRINE- secretes into bloodstream. Example: pituitary
gland.
i. Through chemical signals (hormones) that travel through
the bloodstream.
b. EXOCRINE- secretes in ducts that lead to body surfaces.
Example: sweat glands, mammary glands, pancreas.
2. Give the locations of the following glands and tissues in the body:
hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, pancreas, adrenal, ovaries, and testes.
a. Hypothalamus- (group of neurons in brain) controls the pituitary
gland through hormones. Always acts through Pituitary gland.
b. Pituitary- stimulates the rest of the endocrine system/glands or
affects target tissue directly through hormones.
c. Thyroid- releases thyroid hormone that regulate the metabolism
d. Pancreas- release hormone that regulate blood glucose levels
e. Adrenal ovaries- produces estrogen and progesterone
f. Testes- produces testosterone, which promotes sperm maturation
and secondary sex characteristics.
3. Where are hormones made within the cells of an endocrine gland? How are
they released from the cells? (Remember that digestive enzymes,
antibodies, and neurotransmitters are all made and released in the same
way from digestive glands, immune cells, and neurons, respectively!)
a. Hormone within the cell of the endocrine glands are made by the
Endoplasmic reticulum and shipped to the cell membrane by
Vesicles.
4. Contrast the ways that water-soluble and lipid-soluble hormones 1) bind to a
target cell and 2) activate enzymes and other proteins of the target cell.
Which mechanism produces a faster response? Classify peptide hormones
and steroid hormones as one of the two types.
a. Water-soluble bind to receptors in the cell membrane. (Peptide
hormone, insulin, growth factors)

b. Lipid-soluble diffuse across the lipid bilayer and bin to receptors

inside the cell (steroid, sex, cortisol)
5. Contrast the two ways that the hypothalamus communicates with the
various endocrine glands, causing them to release of hormones. Include in
your answer the roles of the anterior pituitary and the posterior pituitary.
a. Acts by Secreting releasing hormones(trophic hormones)
i. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH),
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH),
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH),
Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)
b. Also acts by secreting regular hormones
i. Oxytocin- causes uterine contractions, ejaculation
ii. ADH- controls kidney to regulate water/salt in blood
6. Name the three glands that control energy metabolism in the body.
a. Pancreas
b. Thyroid
c. Adrenal Glands (adrenal medulla, adrenal cortext)
7. Name the gland, two hormones, and the target organ involved in controlling
sugar levels in the blood (i.e. blood-glucose) to insure that all cells of the
body are constantly nourished both after and between meals. Summarize
the response to 1) high blood glucose and 2) low blood glucose.
a. Pancreas
i. Insulin- both make glycogen and glucose
ii. Glucagon- both make glycogen and glucose
8. What gland and hormone controls the basal metabolic rate (BMR), the
amount of energy cells burn when an organism is at rest?
a. Thyroid
i. Thyroid Hormone
9. What two glands comprise the adrenal gland? Which gland responds to a
perceived threat, and which hormones are released? Give examples of how
different target tissues respond.
a. Adrenal Medulla- control short term stress
i. Releases adrenaline and noradrenaline
b. Adrenal Cortex-Increase reabsorption of salt, regulate water
balance, affect 2 sex. Characteristics, increase energy
metabolism during long term stress and starvation.
i. Release steroid hormones
10.
Which adrenal gland performs 3 distinct functions in the body? What
TYPE of hormones does it make? Name the 3 functions, and the specific
hormones involved. Give examples of how different target tissues respond
during long-term stress/starvation.
a. Adrenal Cortex
b. Increase reabsorption of salt, regulate water balance
i. Aldosterone-> acts on kidneys
2

c. Affect 2 sex characteristics

i. Testosterone-> various targets
d. Increase energy Metabolism during long term stress and
starvation
i. Cortisol-> various targets
11.
While blood-levels of most hormones remain within normal limits in old
age, which hormones are the exception?
a. Testosterone, Progesterone, and Estrogen.

12.
Explain why it is that pituitary hormones TSH, ACTH, and GH remain
constant, but FSH and LH increase in one of the sexes? Which sex?
a. FSH and LH increase in post-menopausal women.
13.
What happens to the BMR as a result of biological aging? Why does
this occur, if only a slight decline in TH levels occurs?
a. Due to slower degradation of Thyroid Hormone in tissues, due to
decline in O2 levels and lean body mass.
14.
Name the glands, two hormones, and the targets involved in
controlling calcium levels in the blood (i.e. blood-calcium) to insure that
bones as well as nerves and muscles have the calcium that they need for
their structure and function, respectively? Summarize the response to 1)
high blood Ca++ and 2) low blood Ca++.
a. Parathyroid Gland- 1,25 Hydroxy Vitamin D- Calcium
Reabsorption in Bones & Intestines
i. Calcitonin released when Blood Ca++ is High
ii. Parathyroid Hormone- Released when Blood Ca++ is Low.
Calcium Reabsorption & Vitamin D Hydroxylation in the
kidneys
Parathyroid and Thyroid gland secretion is controlled by negative
feedback.
Increase in Blood Ca++ leads to Increase in Calcitonin
secretion, which leads to a Decrease in blood Ca++ as well as a
decrease in calcitonin secretion, which further leads to an increase
in PTH as well as an increase in blood Ca++ levels.
15.
Why is the regulation of blood Ca++ compromised in old age? Why is
this effect more common in females?
a. Calcitonin levels may decline. More common in women because
Parathyroid Hormone gradually increases in women.
b. After 40 yoa, reabsorption rate of bones increase while formation
rate remain constant. Increases the Risk of Osteoporosis.
3

16.
Name TWO feedback mechanisms of the endocrine system discussed
in lecture (examples of homeostasis!) that do not involve control by the
hypothalamus/pituitary.
a. Negative feedback mechanism
b. Positive feedback mechanism
17.
Contrast Type I and Type II diabetes mellitus in terms of 1) the timing of
their onset during a persons life, 2) their biological basis, and 3) their effect
on blood glucose levels. What symptoms result from diabetes mellitus?
a. Type INot enough insulin is made
i. Early in Life; 10% of cases
ii. Insulin-producing cells in pancreas is destroyed by the
immune system
iii. Glucose is not taken up by body cells and stays in the
bloodstream.
iv. Symptoms include: Extreme thirst, frequent urination,
drowsiness/lethargy, sugar in urine, sudden vision changes,
increased appetite, sudden weight loss, fruity sweet or
wine-like odor on breath, heavy labored breathing, stupor,
unconsciousness.
b. Type II- Insulin is made but NO RESPONSE
i. Late in Life; 90% of cases
ii. Pancreas produces normal amounts of insulin, but insulin
receptors on body cells do not bind to insulin
iii. Glucose is not taken up by the body and stays in the blood
stream
iv. Symptoms include: Fatigue, thirst, frequent urination, poor
circulation in extremities, blurred vision, sexual and brain
dysfunction, kidney disease, coronary artery disease,
diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy.