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Endocrine System

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Endocrine System

Functions: Help regulate:
• Chemical composition and volume of internal environment • Metabolism and energy balance • Biological clock (circadian rhythm) • Contraction of smooth and cardiac muscle fibers

Control growth and development

Regulate operation of reproductive systems

Nerve impulses Neurotransmitter

Endocrine system Hormones

Hormones : regulate physiological activities of target cells in the body

Endocrine glands Secrete the products (hormones) into the interstitial fluid surrounding the secretory cells, rather than into ducts

Exocrine glands Secrete their products into ducts ( ex. sudoriferous glands, sebaceous glands)

Major Endocrine organs of the body

Target cell: organs regulated/affected by the hormones

Role of Hormone Receptors
Down-regulation
• When a hormone is present in excess, the number of target-cell receptors may decrease • Decreases the responsiveness of target cells to the hormone

Up-regulation
• When a hormone is deficient, the number of receptors may increase. Makes a target tissue more sensitive to a hormone.

Classification:

(How far from their site of production they act)

Circulating hormones (endocrine) Pass into the blood and act on distant target cells

Local hormones Act locally without first entering the blood stream

Chemical classes of Hormones
Lipid-soluble Hormones
• Steroid hormones • Thyroid hormones (T3/T4) • Nitric oxide

Water - soluble Hormones
• Amine hormones • Peptide and protein hormones • Eicosanoids

Hormone Action

Hormone Action

Hormone Interactions
Permissive effectThe actions of some hormones on target cells requires a simultaneous or recent exposure to a second hormone When the effect of two hormones acting together is greater or more extensive than the sum of each hormone acting alone

Synergistic effect-

Antagonistic effect- When one hormone opposes the actions of another hormone

Integrative effect -

When hormones produce different but complementary results in a given tissue or organ

Antagonistic effect-

Control of Hormone Secretion

Hypothalamus

Pituitary gland

Hypothalamus and Endocrine regulation

Stress response or General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
-resets the levels of various controlled conditions to prepare the body to meet an emergency Eustress Prepares us to meet certain challenges and thus is productive DistressHarmful, may lower resistance to infection by temporarily inhibiting certain components of the immune system

Disorders of the Endocrine System

Hyposecretion Hypersecretion

(Hypo= too little or under) (Hyper = too much or above)

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