Try Magic Notes and save time.Try it free
Try Magic Notes and save timeCrush your year with the magic of personalized studying.Try it free

6.6: Hormones, Homeostasis and Reproduction

4.8 (8 reviews)
Get a hint
Define "hormone."



Essential Idea: Hormones are used when signals need to be widely distributed.
Click the card to flip 👆
1 / 93
1 / 93
Terms in this set (93)
Define "hormone."



Essential Idea: Hormones are used when signals need to be widely distributed.
A hormone is a molecule released by a cell in a multicellular organism that influences the behavior of another cell within the same organism. Hormones are secreted from one cell and bind to a specific receptor on (or in) the target cell. Hormones are used to coordinate and control everything from metabolism to behavior.
Image: Define "hormone." Essential Idea: Hormones are used when signals need to be widely distributed.
Explain the role of insulin in the control of blood glucose concentration.



Understanding: Insulin and glucagon are secreted by beta and alpha cells of the pancreas respectively to control blood glucose concentrations.
Insulin is a protein hormone secreted from β cells of the pancreas in response to high blood glucose levels. Insulin moves through the blood and binds to receptor proteins located in the membrane of target cells, major ones being liver, skeletal muscle and fat. Insulin helps reduce blood glucose levels by signaling the liver to
convert glucose to the storage molecule glycogen. Insulin causes muscle and fat cells to take in glucose from the blood.
Image: Explain the role of insulin in the control of blood glucose concentration. Understanding: Insulin and glucagon are secreted by beta and alpha cells of the pancreas respectively to control blood glucose concentrations.
Explain the role of glucagon in the control of blood glucose concentration.



Understanding: Insulin and glucagon are secreted by beta and alpha cells of the pancreas respectively to control blood glucose concentrations.
Glucagon is a protein hormone secreted from α cells of the pancreas in response to low blood glucose levels. Glucagon moves through the blood and binds to receptor proteins located in the membrane of liver cells (hepatocytes). When glucagon binds to the glucagon receptors, the liver cells convert the storage polysaccharide glycogen into individual glucose molecules and release them into the bloodstream, thereby increasing blood glucose levels.
Image: Explain the role of glucagon in the control of blood glucose concentration. Understanding: Insulin and glucagon are secreted by beta and alpha cells of the pancreas respectively to control blood glucose concentrations.
Explain the role of pancreas alpha cells in the control of blood glucose concentration.



Understanding: Insulin and glucagon are secreted by beta and alpha cells of the pancreas respectively to control blood glucose concentrations.
Alpha (α) cells are endocrine cells of the pancreas that produce and secrete the hormone glucagon when blood glucose levels are low. Glucagon promotes the breakdown of glycogen by liver cells and the subsequent release of glucose into the bloodstream, thereby raising the blood glucose levels.
Image: Explain the role of pancreas alpha cells in the control of blood glucose concentration. Understanding: Insulin and glucagon are secreted by beta and alpha cells of the pancreas respectively to control blood glucose concentrations.
Explain the role of pancreas beta cells in the control of blood glucose concentration.



Understanding: Insulin and glucagon are secreted by beta and alpha cells of the pancreas respectively to control blood glucose concentrations.
Beta (β) cells are endocrine cells of the pancreas that produce and secrete the hormone insulin when blood glucose levels are high. Insulin promotes the storage of glucose as glycogen by liver cells and the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream of muscle and fat cells, thereby lowering the blood glucose levels.
Image: Explain the role of pancreas beta cells in the control of blood glucose concentration. Understanding: Insulin and glucagon are secreted by beta and alpha cells of the pancreas respectively to control blood glucose concentrations.

Flickr Creative Commons Images

Some images used in this set are licensed under the Creative Commons through Flickr.com.
Click to see the original works with their full license.