| Term | Definition |
|---|
| endocrine system | a collection of glands and groups of cells thats secrete hormones that regulate growth,development, and homeostsis |
| hormones | chemical "messengers" of the endocrine system that are released into the blood |
| protein hormones | class of hormones that cannot pass through the cell membrane; less likely to be stored in the body |
| steroid hormone | class of hormones that can pass through the cell membrane; can be stored in the body |
| prostaglandins | local hormones that do not enter the bloodstream |
| positive feedback | Process that amplifies a small change (Reinforce change) |
| negative feedback | a response that opposes the original stimulus |
| one messenger model | mechanism of hormone action used by steroid hormones which bring their message directly into the cell |
| two messenger model | mechanism of hormone action used by protein hormones; attach to cell membrane receptors which activate enzymes in the cell to produce the desired effect |
| hypersecretion | excessive hormone production by an endocrine gland |
| hyposecretion | deficient hormone production by an endocrine gland |
| pituitary gland | the master gland of the endocrine system |
| growth hormone | hormone secreted by anterior pituitary gland that stimulates growth of bones |
| luteinizing hormone | A protein hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary that stimulates ovulation in females and androgen production in males. |
| Prolactin | Peptide hormone released by anterior pituitary which promotes lactation. |
| follicle stimulating hormone | secreted in increasing amounts during puberty, by the anterior pituitary gland, to stimulate development of reproductive cell follicles |
| adrenocorticotropic hormone | A peptide hormone released from the anterior pituitary, it stimulates the production and secretion of steroid hormones by the adrenal cortex. |
| oxytocin | A hormone produced by the hypothalamus and released from the posterior pituitary. It induces contractions of the uterine muscles during labor. |
| antidiuretic hormone | hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland which aids in water reabsorption by the kidney |
| hypothalamus | part of the brain which links the endocine and nervous system, and controls the pituitary gland. |
| acromegaly | Hypersecretion of the GH in adults which causes an overgrowth of bones in the hands, feet, and face |
| thyroid gland | gland found in neck that regulates rate of metabolism; produces thyroxine |
| calcitonin | Produced by the thyroid gland and decreases the blood calcium levels by stimulating calcium deposit in the bones. The antagonist of the parathyroid hormone. |
| parahormone | secreted by parathyroid glands and controls calcium and phosphate metabolism |
| tetany | condition affecting nerves causing muscle spasms as a result of low amounts of calcium in the blood caused by a deficiency of the parathyroid hormone |
| osteoporosis | a condition in which the body's bones become weak and break easily; may be caused by hypersecretion of parahormone |
| adrenal gland | one of a pair of ductless glands, located above the kidneys, consisting of a cortex, which produces steroidal hormones, and a medulla, which produces epinephrine and norepinephrine. |
| cortex | outer part of kidney which produces corticosteroids; helps body deal with longtern stress |
| medulla | inner part of kidney which produces epineprine and norepinephrine |
| cortisol | secreted from the adrenal cortex, aids the body during stress by regulating glucose, carbohydrates, and fat levels |
| aldosterone | a corticosteroid hormone that is secreted by the cortex of the adrenal gland, regulates mineral balance in blood and controls fluid volumes |
| Cushing syndrome | excessive production of cortisol by adrenal cortex with symptoms of abnormal fat deposits and wasting away of muscle |
| pancreas | located partially behind the stomach in the abdomen, and it functions as both an endocrine and exocrine gland. It produces digestive enzymes as well as insulin and glucagon |
| insulin | a hormone secreted by the beta cells of the Islets of Langerhans of the pancreas responsible for regulating the metabolism of glucose |
| glucagon | hormone secreted by alpha cells of the pancreas; raises blood glucose levels |
| diabetes | a condition in which the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin or the body's cells cannot use it properly, characterized by excessive thirst, weight loss/gain, frequent urination. |
| estrogen | a general term for female steroid sex hormones that are secreted by the ovary and responsible for typical female sexual characteristics |
| progesterone | A hormone produced by the ovaries which acts with estrogen to bring about the menstral cycle. |
| testosterone | The male sex hormone produced by the testes which promotes the maturation of the reproductive system accessory structures, and development of the male secondary sex characteristics. |
| pineal gland | A small mass of tissue near the center of the brain; it secretes the hormone melatonin. |
| melatonin | Hormone secreted by the pineal gland, used to regulate sleep patterns. |
| Thymus gland | Gland located near the heart; it aids in the body's defence against infection by making antibodies |
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