Endocrine System
Endocrine System
The endocrine system is a group of glands that
regulate physiological functions by releasing
hormones into the bloodstream.
Hormone
Hormones are chemical substances that act like
messenger molecules in the body. After being made
in one part of the body, they travel to other parts of
the body where they help control how cells and
organs do their work
Neuroendocrine hormones
Neuroendocrine hormones are secreted by neurons into the circulating
blood and influence the function of target cells at another location in the
body.
Paracrine:
Paracrine are secreted by cells into the extracellular fluid and affect
neighboring target cells of a different type.
Autocrines:
Autocrines are secreted by cells into the extracellular fluid and affect
the function of the same cells that produced them.
Endocrine system
• The endocrine system includes the organs of the
body that secrete hormones directly into body fluids
such as blood
– Regulates chemical reaction in cells and therefore control
functions of the organs, tissues, and other cells
bloodstream
to
into
secrete
Glands
hormones
target tissues
Endocrine system
• Regulates many bodily functions
• Maintains homeostasis by regulating the production
of chemicals that affect most functions of the body
• Important regulator of growth and development
• Endocrine glands are ductless glands, unlike
exocrine glands that secrete substances into ducts.
hypo
hyper
Homeostasis exists when there is a balance of substances.
Endocrine conditions are due to either hypo (too little) or
hyper (too much) secretions of substances (hormones).
Hormones
chemicals secreted by a cell that affect the
functions of other cells,
• Many are derived from steroids that easily cross the cell
membrane
• Hormones need a specific receptor on a specific cell to do
their job
• Examples of steroid hormones
– Estrogen
– Progesterone
– Testosterone
– Cortisol hormones
Hormones
• 3-4 Chemical groups
• Steroids
• Biogenic amines
• Peptides
• Eicosanoids
• Mostly paracrines
• Leukotrienes
• Prostaglandins
Chemical Classificaton of Hormones
• Steroid Hormones:
– Lipid soluble
– Diffuse through cell membranes
– Derivatives of cholesterol
– Four covalently-bonded rings
• Endocrine organs Steroids
• Adrenal cortex
• Ovaries
• Testes
• placenta
Chemical Classification of Hormones
• Nonsteroid Hormones:
– Not lipid soluble
– Received by receptors external to the cell
membrane
– Endocrine organs
• Thyroid gland
• Parathyroid gland
• Adrenal medulla
• Pituitary gland
• pancreas
Hormone
• Biogenic amines
• Derivatives of tyrosine, an amino acid
Thyroid hormones
• Thyroxine (T4)
• Triiodothyronine (T3)
Adrenal medulla
• Epinephrine
• Norepinephrine
• Usually neurotransmitter
Hormone
• Peptides
• “Chains” of amino acids
• 4 – 200+ amino acids
• Hypothalamus
• Pituitary (Ant. & Post.)
• Islets of Langerhans
• Parathyroid hormone
• Digestive system hormones
Hormone Actions
• “Lock and Key” approach: describes the
interaction between the hormone and its
specific receptor.
– Receptors for nonsteroid hormones are located on
the cell membrane
– Receptors for steroid hormones are found in the
cell’s cytoplasm or in its nucleus
• Steroid Hormones
– Pass through the cell membrane
– Binds to specific receptors
– Then enters the nucleus to bind with the cells DNA
which then activates certain genes (Direct gene
activation).
– mRNA is synthesized in the nucleus and enters the
cytoplasm and promotes protein synthesis for:
• Enzymes as catalysts
• Tissue growth and repair
• Regulate enzyme function
Hormone Actions
• Nonsteroid Hormones
– React with specific receptors outside the cell
– This triggers an enzyme reaction with lead to the
formation of a second messenger cyclic adenosine
monophosphate (cAMP).
– cAMP can produce specific intracellular functions:
• Activates cell enzymes
• Change in membrane permeability
• Promote protein synthesis
• Change in cell metabolism
• Stimulation of cell secretions
Negative Feedback
• Negative feedback is the primary mechanism
through which your endocrine system
maintains homeostasis
• Secretion of a specific hormone s turned on or
off by specific physiological changes.
• EXAMPLE: plasma glucose levels and insulin
response
Number of Receptors
• Down-regulation: is the decrease of hormone
receptors which decreases the sensitivity to
that hormone
• Up-regulation: is the increase in the number
of receptors which causes the cell to be more
sensitive to a particular hormone
• Major Glands of the Endocrine system
• Pituitary
• Thyroid
• Parathyroid
• Adrenal.
• Pancreas
• Ovaries
• Testes
THANK YOU