Endocrine System Chapter 26 Endocrine System A bodily system that uses hormones for communication and chemical regulation Hormones are chemical signals carried by the circulatory system, made and secreted by endocrine glands Long-distance regulators Not quick acting system because hormones must be made, circulated to all body cells, and sensed Control whole body activities like responses to stress and long- term developmental processes such as growth Chemical Signaling Endocrine cells are secretory vesicles that transport hormones for release directly into the circulatory system Hormones travel throughout the body, but only act on target cells that are equipped to respond Can turn on or off enzymes = may alter cellular metabolism Local regulators secrete signals into interstitial fluid and affects nearby cells Pheromones carry messages between individuals of a species Neurosecretory cells conduct nerve signals AND secrete hormones into blood E.g. epinephrine (adrenaline) as a ‘fight-or-flight’ hormone and a s a neurotransmitter Hormonal Signaling 2 major types of hormone molecules Amino acid derived Proteins, peptides, and amines hydrophilic Steroids Sex hormones made from cholesterol (lipids) Hydrophobic All hormonal signaling has 3 events Reception: hormone binding to a receptor protein or target cell Signal transduction: coverts the signal from 1 form to another Response: result or change in cell’s behavior Target range is vast so 1 hormone may effect many or few targets E.g. sex hormones most body tissues while glucagon liver and fat cells only Water-soluble Hormones Receptors is PM of target cells Hormone binds to receptor protein to activate it Initiates a series of changes in cellular proteins Converts extracellular signal to an intracellular one Final relay molecule activates a protein to evoke the response Lipid-soluble Hormones Bind receptors inside the cell Are small and nonpolar so can diffuse through the PM Binds a receptor protein in the cytoplasm or nucleus No signal pathway, self sufficient Attaches to enhancer site on DNA Stimulates transcription and translation Steroid hormones turn genes on or off Focus on hypothalamus and pituitary gland secretions Also adrenal gland and gonads Connection of Brain Structures The pituitary gland hangs on a stalk-like structure that projects inferiorly from the hypothalamus The hypothalamus monitors internal conditions and emotional states Controls anterior pituitary by secreting releasing and inhibiting hormones The pituitary gland has 2 distinct parts with different roles Anterior pituitary Endocrine cells that synthesize and secretes numerous hormones into the blood Control activity of other endocrine glands Posterior pituitary Bundle of nervous tissue that stores and secretes 2 hormones made in the hypothalamus Review positive and negative feedback Posterior Pituitary Hypothalmus to posterior pituitary connection is direct Oxytocin: uterine contractions during childbirth and milk letdown during nursing Antidiuretic hormone: acts on walls of kidney tubules to control body’s water and solute levels Anterior Pituitary Hypothalmus to anterior pituitary connection is through blood vessels Feedback controls the secretion of these hormones Growth Hormone (GH) Promotes protein synthesis and the use of body fat for metabolism in a variety of target cells In young mammals encourages development and enlargement of the body Too much or too little causes developmental problems depending on stage on development of occurrence Can be made artificially now by bacteria that carry the gene Used to counter deficiencies in youth Abused by athletes to bulk up Can lead to heart failure, cancers, or disfigurement Thyroid Regulation Thyroid affects almost every tissue in the body by producing 2 amine hormones, both containing iodine (I) Throxine (T4) Triiodothyronine (T3) Same effects on different target cells Crucial for development and maturation Maintain normal blood pressure, heart rate, and digestion Increase rate of O2 consumption = what effect on metabolism? Excess or insufficient amounts can have adverse health effects E.g. hypothyroidism: weight gain, intolerance to cold, lethargy Pancreatic Hormones The pancreas produces insulin and glucagon to help manage the body’s energy supply Islets of Langerhans with beta (insulin) and alpha (glucagon) cells Antagonisitc hormones that regulate glucose levels circulating in the blood Glucose Homeostasis o Glucose up = insulin up = cells store/take up more glucose until return to normal o Glucose down = glucagon up = liver break glucagon into glucose until return to normal Diabetes Mellitus When cells can’t absorb glucose from blood Develops when not enough insulin or cells don’t respond to insulin Cells starved for fuel so begin burning fats and proteins Glucose absorbed by digestive system so concentration in urine is high Treatments but no cure Blindness, dehydration, kidney and cardiovascular disease occur Type 1 (insulin dependent) Autoimmune disease: WBC’s attack beta cells Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) Onset is older and often associated with obesity Gestational diabetes Can effect any pregnant woman Adrenal Glands Paired structures atop the kidneys consisting of 2 parts Each contains different cells and produce different hormones Both respond to stress Adrenal medulla produces ‘fight-or-flight’ response Short term response Produces epinephrine (epi) and norepinephrine (nor) to cause Responds to nerve signals from the hypothalamus Adrenal cortex Slower, longer lasting responses Produces corticosteroids (2 types) Responds to endocrine signals Adrenal Medulla Nerve cells in hypothalamus respond to (+)or (–) stress stimuli Signals via spinal cord to adrenal medulla to release epi or nor into blood Prompts multiple rxns Liver releases glucose Raise blood pressure, breathing and metabolic rates Change blood flow patterns Adrenal Cortex Hypothalamus secretes releasing hormone to anterior pituitary to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) Adrenal cortex releases corticoids Mineralocorticoids Reabsorb salt and H20 to increase blood volume and pressure Glucocorticoids Increase glucose production from fats and proteins Suppresses immune system (inflammatory response) Cortisone injections Sex Hormones Steroid hormones that affect growth and development as well as regulate reproductive cycles and sexual behavior Gonads or sex glands secrete sex hormones and produce gametes 3 main types found in both males and females, but ratio differs Estrogens Maintain female repro. system and development of female features Progestins (progesterone) Prepare and maintain uterus to support an embryo Androgens (testosterone) Maintain and stimulate development of male repro. System Synthesized by gonads in response to releasing factor from hypothalmus to anterior pituitary to secrete FSH and LH Hormones Vary Between Species Prolactin is secreted by the anterior pituitary Humans Stimulates mammary glands to grow and produce milk during pregnancy Prevents ovaries from releasing eggs, decreasing the chances of a pregnancy while breast feeding Evolutionary adaptation to ensure adequate care to newborns possibly Birds Stimulates nestbuilding, regulates fat metabolism, and reproduction Amphibians Stimulates movement toward water in preparation for breeding and affects metamorphosis Fish Regulate salt and water balance in fish that move between fresh and salt water