The Endocrine System MCAT
Glands and Hormones Overview
1. What are exocrine glands? - Answer: Exocrine glands release enzymes into the external environment through specific ducts.
2. What characterizes endocrine glands? - Answer: Endocrine glands release hormones directly into body fluids...
- Answer: Exocrine glands release enzymes into the external environment through specific ducts.
2. What characterizes endocrine glands?
- Answer: Endocrine glands release hormones directly into body fluids, such as blood, without the use
of ducts.
3. What are receptors in hormonal activity?
- Answer: Receptors are proteins that hormones specifically bind to, and they exhibit high specificity
for particular hormones.
Types of Hormones
4. What are peptide hormones?
- Answer: Peptide hormones are derived from peptides and can vary in size, often including
carbohydrate parts. They are produced in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and are water-soluble.
5. How are steroid hormones defined?
- Answer: Steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol and share chemical similarities with it. These
hormones are synthesized through a series of steps primarily in the smooth ER and mitochondria. Being
lipids, they require special transport proteins to become soluble in the bloodstream.
6. What are tyrosine derivatives?
- Answer: Tyrosine derivatives are hormones synthesized by enzymes found in the cytosol or on the
rough ER.
, Specific Functionality
7. What is the function of an effector in hormone action?
- Answer: An effector refers to the target cell of a peptide hormone, which is specifically affected by
that hormone.
8. What role does an intracellular second messenger play?
- Answer: When a peptide hormone binds to its receptor, it may activate an intracellular second
messenger that relays the signal within the cell.
Examples of Hormones
9. Which peptides are produced by the anterior pituitary gland?
- Answer: Hormones from the anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis) include Growth Hormone (GH),
Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Prolactin, Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone
(TSH), and Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH).
10. What hormones are secreted by the posterior pituitary gland?
- Answer: The posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis) releases Oxytocin and Antidiuretic Hormone
(ADH/Vasopressin).
11. What is the parathyroid hormone?
- Answer: The primary parathyroid hormone is Parathyroid Hormone (PTH).
12. Which hormones are produced by the pancreas?
- Answer: Pancreatic hormones include Somatostatin, Insulin, and Glucagon.
13. What glucocorticoids and mineral corticoids are produced in the adrenal cortex?
- Answer: The adrenal cortex releases Cortisol, androgens, and Aldosterone.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller bestscores1. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $9.83. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
