Anatomy & Physiology ~ Endocrine System
Basics of the Endocrine System
1. What is the meaning of endocrine? - Answer: The term endocrine refers to processes that secrete within the body.
2. What influences the endocrine system? - Answer: It influences the metabolic activities of cells thr...
- Answer: The term endocrine refers to processes that secrete within the body.
2. What influences the endocrine system?
- Answer: It influences the metabolic activities of cells through the release of hormones.
3. What is the primary role of the endocrine system?
- Answer: The endocrine system's main function is to integrate body systems to maintain homeostasis
using chemical messengers known as hormones.
Components and Functions
4. What are effectors in the context of the endocrine system?
- Answer: The effectors are the responsive body parts, which include the autonomous nervous system.
5. What are the primary endocrine glands?
- Answer: The major endocrine glands include the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, pineal gland, thyroid
gland, parathyroid gland, thymus, adrenal glands, pancreas, and sex organs.
6. Is one cell able to perform multiple functions?
- Answer: True, one cell can carry out several activities.
Hormones and Their Mechanisms
7. How do hormones locate their target tissues?
, - Answer: A hormone finds its target tissue when the target cell possesses a specific protein identifier
and receptor.
8. What are the functions of glands?
- Answer: Glands have two main functions: endocrine (hormone secretion into the bloodstream) and
exocrine (secretion through ducts).
9. What distinguishes endocrine glands?
- Answer: Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones that regulate metabolic functions.
10. How do exocrine glands differ from endocrine glands?
- Answer: Exocrine glands possess ducts and release their substances externally, such as through sweat
and sebaceous glands.
11. What defines a hormone?
- Answer: A hormone is a substance released by an endocrine gland into the bloodstream, which acts
on a specific target tissue to elicit a response.
12. What are the functions of hormones?
- Answer: Hormones serve to alter the metabolic activity of cells. They are specifically targeted,
producing predictable responses.
Regulation and Types of Hormones
13. What factors can affect hormone levels?
- Answer: Hormone levels can be influenced by stress, infections, and changes in the balance of fluids
and minerals in the blood, such as calcium levels.
14. Are hormones effective in small or large quantities?
- Answer: Only small amounts of hormones are necessary to achieve the desired effects, as they are
very potent and produce long-lasting impacts on target cells.
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