Endocrine System quiz Flashcards

The endocrine system is a chemical signaling system that uses hormones to communicate with distant targets in the body via the bloodstream.

Pheromones are chemical signals released into the environment to allow organisms to communicate with each other, unlike other signals that act within the organism.

Autocrine signaling is when a cell secretes a chemical signal that binds to receptors on its own membrane, stimulating itself.

Juxtacrine signaling involves cells signaling their neighbors through direct physical contact, often via gap junctions or plasma desmata.

Paracrine signaling involves cells releasing chemicals that communicate with nearby cells, without the need for direct contact.

Nitric oxide is a local regulator that can act as a hormone causing vasodilation and as a neurotransmitter in the brain.

Endocrine signaling involves the secretion of hormones into the bloodstream to reach distant target cells, allowing long-distance communication.

The endocrine and nervous systems are linked through neuroendocrine signaling, where neuronal signals cause hormone secretion.

Neurohormones are hormones produced by neuroendocrine cells, which are involved in both nervous and endocrine signaling.

The hypothalamus connects the nervous system to the endocrine system and regulates homeostasis by controlling the pituitary gland.

Endocrine glands secrete hormones into the bloodstream, while exocrine glands secrete substances into ducts that lead to other body sites.

Steroid hormones are lipid-soluble and can cross cell membranes to bind intracellular receptors, while water-soluble hormones bind to cell surface receptors and activate signal transduction pathways.

A signal transduction pathway is a series of molecular events triggered by the binding of a hormone to a cell surface receptor, leading to a cellular response.

The anterior pituitary gland secretes hormones that regulate other endocrine glands and direct hormones that affect various body parts.

Tropic hormones are hormones that stimulate other endocrine glands to secrete their hormones.

The hypothalamus secretes releasing hormones, which stimulate the anterior pituitary gland to release its hormones.

Androgens are the main male hormones, with testosterone being the most prominent one.

Aldosterone, being a steroid hormone, most likely enters target cells by diffusing through the cell membrane due to its lipid-soluble nature.