Chemical Coordination AND Integration flash cards

1. 1.What is the endocrine system?

   A system of ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the blood, which then act on distant target organs/tissues for chemical coordination.

   Hint: Ductless glands + blood

2. 2.Define hormone (as per NCERT).

   Non-nutrient chemicals that act as intercellular messengers, produced in trace amounts.

   Hint: Trace-amount messengers

3. 3.How does neural coordination differ from chemical (hormonal) coordination?

   Neural coordination is rapid, short-lived and point-to-point via neurons; hormonal coordination is slower, longer-lasting and widespread via blood.

   Hint: Fast & brief vs slow & lasting

4. 4.What is the organized form of hormone-secreting tissues called?

   Endocrine glands (organized endocrine bodies); some hormones are also secreted by scattered cells/tissues.

   Hint: Ductless organized bodies

5. 5.Name the endocrine glands in the human body.

   Hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, adrenal, pancreas, and gonads (testis/ovary).

   Hint: Head-to-toe list

6. 6.Where is the hypothalamus located and what does it contain?

   It is the basal part of the diencephalon (forebrain) and contains groups of neurosecretory cells called nuclei.

   Hint: Base of diencephalon; nuclei

7. 7.What two categories of hypothalamic hormones regulate the anterior pituitary?

   Releasing hormones (stimulate secretion) and inhibiting hormones (inhibit secretion).

   Hint: Releasing vs inhibiting

8. 8.Give an example of a hypothalamic releasing hormone and an inhibiting hormone.

   Releasing: GnRH (gonadotrophin-releasing hormone). Inhibiting: somatostatin (inhibits growth hormone release).

   Hint: GnRH vs somatostatin

9. 9.How do hypothalamic hormones reach the anterior pituitary?

   Through a portal blood vessel system (hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system).

   Hint: Portal vessels

10. 10.Where is the pituitary gland located?

    In a bony cavity called sella turcica, and it is attached to the hypothalamus by a stalk.

    Hint: Sella turcica

11. 11.Name the anatomical divisions of the pituitary gland.

    Adenohypophysis (anterior; pars distalis + pars intermedia) and neurohypophysis (posterior; pars nervosa).

    Hint: Adeno- vs neuro-

12. 12.Which hormones are secreted by the pars distalis (anterior pituitary)?

    GH, PRL, TSH, ACTH, LH and FSH.

    Hint: Six anterior hormones

13. 13.Which hormone does the pars intermedia secrete in humans?

    MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone); in humans the pars intermedia is almost merged with pars distalis.

    Hint: MSH

14. 14.What does MSH act on?

    It acts on melanocytes (melanin-containing cells) and regulates pigmentation of the skin.

    Hint: Melanocytes/pigment

15. 15.What is the function of Growth Hormone (GH)?

    It regulates growth of the body; over-secretion and under-secretion both cause disorders.

    Hint: Body growth

16. 16.QUESTION: A child has stunted growth (pituitary dwarfism). Which hormone is deficient?

    Growth Hormone (GH). Low GH in childhood causes pituitary dwarfism.

    Hint: GH deficiency in childhood

17. 17.What is gigantism?

    Excessive secretion of GH during childhood/growing age causes gigantism (abnormally large stature).

    Hint: GH excess, child

18. 18.What is acromegaly?

    Excessive secretion of GH in adults causes acromegaly — abnormal enlargement of bones of face, hands and feet.

    Hint: GH excess, adult

19. 19.What is the function of Prolactin (PRL)?

    It regulates growth of the mammary glands and formation of milk in them.

    Hint: Mammary glands & milk

20. 20.What does Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) do?

    It stimulates the synthesis and secretion of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland.

    Hint: Drives thyroid

21. 21.What does Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH) do?

    It stimulates the synthesis and secretion of steroid hormones (glucocorticoids) from the adrenal cortex.

    Hint: Drives adrenal cortex

22. 22.What are the gonadotrophins secreted by the anterior pituitary?

    Luteinizing hormone (LH) and Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

    Hint: LH & FSH

23. 23.What is the role of LH and FSH in males?

    LH stimulates Leydig (interstitial) cells to secrete androgens; FSH and androgens regulate spermatogenesis.

    Hint: Leydig + sperm

24. 24.What is the role of LH and FSH in females?

    LH induces ovulation of the mature follicle and maintains the corpus luteum; FSH stimulates growth and development of ovarian follicles.

    Hint: Ovulation vs follicle growth

25. 25.Which hormones are stored and released by the neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary)?

    Oxytocin and vasopressin (ADH) — actually synthesized by the hypothalamus and stored/released by the posterior pituitary.

    Hint: Made by hypothalamus, stored here

26. 26.What are the functions of oxytocin?

    It acts on the smooth muscle of the uterus (contraction at childbirth) and stimulates milk ejection from the mammary glands.

    Hint: Uterine contraction + milk let-down

27. 27.What is the other name and main function of vasopressin?

    Vasopressin = Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH). It acts on the kidney (distal tubules) to promote reabsorption of water and reduce urine loss.

    Hint: ADH — water reabsorption

28. 28.Which disorder results from ADH (vasopressin) deficiency?

    Diabetes insipidus — excessive loss of water through urine.

    Hint: Watery urine, not sugar

29. 29.Where is the pineal gland located and what hormone does it secrete?

    It is located on the dorsal side of the forebrain and secretes the hormone melatonin.

    Hint: Dorsal forebrain; melatonin

30. 30.What are the functions of melatonin?

    It regulates the 24-hour (diurnal) rhythm of the body — the sleep-wake cycle, body temperature — and also influences metabolism, pigmentation, menstrual cycle and defence capability.

    Hint: Body clock / circadian rhythm

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