Endocrine System
Terms
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- beta cell
- secretes insulin
- neurohypophysis
- extension of the brain; An extension of the hypothalamus composed of nervous tissue that secretes hormones made in the hypothalamus; a temporary storage site for hypothalamic hormones.
- progestin
- involved in preparing and maintaining the uterus, which supports the growth and development of an embryo
- adrenal medulla
- The central portion of an adrenal gland, controlled by nerve signals, that secretes the fight-or-flight hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine.
- androgen
- stimulates the development and maintenance of the male reproductive system
- Follicle-stimulating hormone
- A protein hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that stimulates the production of eggs by the ovaries and sperm by the testes.
- parathyroid glands
- embedded in the surface of the thyroid, function in the homeostasis of calcium ions
- pituitary gland
- An endocrine gland at the base of the hypothalamus; consists of a posterior lobe (neurohypophysis), which stores and releases two hormones produced by the hypothalamus, and an anterior lobe (adenohypophysis), which produces and secretes many hormones that regulate diverse body functions.
- vitamin D
- acts in concert with PTH in bone, and it also affects the intestines, where it stimulates the uptake of Ca2+ from food; binds to receptors in the nuclei of target cells and regulates gene transcription
- parathyroid hormone
- raises blood levels of Ca2+ and thus has an effect opposite to that of the thyroid hormone calcitonin
- oxytocin
- induces contraction of the uterine muscles during childbirth and causes the mammary glands to eject milk during nursing
- melanocyte-stimulating hormone
- regulates the activity of pigment-containing cells in the skin of some vertebrates
- Inhibiting hormone
- A neurosecretory cell that stops the secretion of the adenohypophysis
- Growth hormone
- A protein of about 200 amino acids that affects a wide variety of target tissues and has both direct effects and tropic effects.
- calcitonin
- lowers calcium levels in the blood as part of calcium homeostasis
- adrenal cortex
- secretes corticosteroids; responds to the endocrine signals
- Releasing hormone
- a neurosecretory cell that makes the adenohypophysis secrete hormones
- Antidiuretic hormone
- A hormone that is part of an elaborate feedback scheme that helps regulate the osmolarity of the blood.
- norepinephrineany of a group of steroi
- controls blood pressure; also involved with stress
- epinephrine
- adrenaline; controls heart rates and metabolic rates; causes the breakdown of glycogen
- pancreas
- one of many organs that perform both endocrine and exocrine functions; glucagon & insulin
- tropic hormone
- A hormone that has another endocrine gland as a target.
- gonadotropin
- a collective term for follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone
- A peptide hormone released from the anterior pituitary, it stimulates the production and secretion of steroid hormones by the adrenal cortex.
- alpha cell
- secretes glucagon
- islets of Langerhans
- clusters of endocrine cells that secrete two major hormones directly into the circulatory system
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone
- A hormone produced by the anterior pituitary that regulates the release of thyroid hormones.
- adrenal gland
- An endocrine gland located adjacent to the kidney in mammals; composed of two glandular portions: an outer cortex, which responds to endocrine signals in reacting to stress and effecting salt and water balance, and a central medulla, which responds to nervous inputs resulting from stress.
- thyroid gland
- plays a crucial role in vertebrate development and maturation; consists of two lobes located on the ventral surface of the trachea
- hypothalamus
- The ventral part of the vertebrate forebrain; functions in maintaining homeostasis, especially in coordinating the endocrine and nervous systems; secretes hormones of the posterior pituitary and releasing factors, which regulate the anterior pituitary
- pineal gland
- a small mass of tissue near the center of the mammalian brain
- thyroxine
- contains four iodine atoms; secreted first and is turned into triiodothyronine
- triiodothyronine
- contains three iodine atoms; has greater affinity for the hormone receptor, which is located in the cell nucleus
- corticosteroid
- any of a group of steroid hormones, secreted by the adrenal cortex
- glucocorticoid
- secreted by the adrenal cortex; a steroid that breaks down muscle proteins and inhibits the immune system
- mineralocorticoid
- secreted by the adrenal cortex; a steroid that regulates salt and water retension (aldosterone)
- melatonin
- modified amino acid; regulates functions related to light and to seasons marked by changes in day length
- Luteinizing hormone
- A protein hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that stimulates ovulation in females and androgen production in males.
- Prolactin
- timulates mammary gland growth and milk synthesis in mammals; regulates fat metabolism and reproduction in birds; delays metamorphosis in amphibians, where it may also function as a larval growth hormone; and regulates salt and water balance in freshwater fishes.
- estrogen
- involved in the maintenance of the female reproductive system and the development of female secondary sex characteristics
- insulinlike growth factor
- circulates in blood plasma and directly stimulate bone and cartilage growth
- adenohypophysis
- Develops from the roof of an embryo's mouth; secretes hormones directly into the blood; anterior pituitary