endocrine lab assignment quizlet

17.1 An Overview of the Endocrine System

Learning objectives.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Distinguish the types of intercellular communication, their importance, mechanisms, and effects
• Identify the major organs and tissues of the endocrine system and their location in the body

Communication is a process in which a sender transmits signals to one or more receivers to control and coordinate actions. In the human body, two major organ systems participate in relatively “long distance” communication: the nervous system and the endocrine system. Together, these two systems are primarily responsible for maintaining homeostasis in the body.

Neural and Endocrine Signaling

The nervous system uses two types of intercellular communication—electrical and chemical signaling—either by the direct action of an electrical potential, or in the latter case, through the action of chemical neurotransmitters such as serotonin or norepinephrine. Neurotransmitters act locally and rapidly. When an electrical signal in the form of an action potential arrives at the synaptic terminal, they diffuse across the synaptic cleft (the gap between a sending neuron and a receiving neuron or muscle cell). Once the neurotransmitters interact (bind) with receptors on the receiving (post-synaptic) cell, the receptor stimulation is transduced into a response such as continued electrical signaling or modification of cellular response. The target cell responds within milliseconds of receiving the chemical “message”; this response then ceases very quickly once the neural signaling ends. In this way, neural communication enables body functions that involve quick, brief actions, such as movement, sensation, and cognition.In contrast, the endocrine system uses just one method of communication: chemical signaling. These signals are sent by the endocrine organs, which secrete chemicals—the hormone —into the extracellular fluid. Hormones are transported primarily via the bloodstream throughout the body, where they bind to receptors on target cells, inducing a characteristic response. As a result, endocrine signaling requires more time than neural signaling to prompt a response in target cells, though the precise amount of time varies with different hormones. For example, the hormones released when you are confronted with a dangerous or frightening situation, called the fight-or-flight response, occur by the release of adrenal hormones—epinephrine and norepinephrine—within seconds. In contrast, it may take up to 48 hours for target cells to respond to certain reproductive hormones.

Interactive Link

Visit this link to watch an animation of the events that occur when a hormone binds to a cell membrane receptor. What is the secondary messenger made by adenylyl cyclase during the activation of liver cells by epinephrine?

In addition, endocrine signaling is typically less specific than neural signaling. The same hormone may play a role in a variety of different physiological processes depending on the target cells involved. For example, the hormone oxytocin promotes uterine contractions in people in labor. It is also important in breastfeeding, and may be involved in the sexual response and in feelings of emotional attachment in humans.

In general, the nervous system involves quick responses to rapid changes in the external environment, and the endocrine system is usually slower acting—taking care of the internal environment of the body, maintaining homeostasis, and controlling reproduction ( Table 17.1 ). So how does the fight-or-flight response that was mentioned earlier happen so quickly if hormones are usually slower acting? It is because the two systems are connected. It is the fast action of the nervous system in response to the danger in the environment that stimulates the adrenal glands to secrete their hormones. As a result, the nervous system can cause rapid endocrine responses to keep up with sudden changes in both the external and internal environments when necessary.

Structures of the Endocrine System

The endocrine system consists of cells, tissues, and organs that secrete hormones as a primary or secondary function. The endocrine gland is the major player in this system. The primary function of these ductless glands is to secrete their hormones directly into the surrounding fluid. The interstitial fluid and the blood vessels then transport the hormones throughout the body. The endocrine system includes the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pineal glands ( Figure 17.2 ). Some of these glands have both endocrine and non-endocrine functions. For example, the pancreas contains cells that function in digestion as well as cells that secrete the hormones insulin and glucagon, which regulate blood glucose levels. The hypothalamus, thymus, heart, kidneys, stomach, small intestine, liver, skin, ovaries, and testes are other organs that contain cells with endocrine function. Moreover, adipose tissue has long been known to produce hormones, and recent research has revealed that even bone tissue has endocrine functions.

The ductless endocrine glands are not to be confused with the body’s exocrine system , whose glands release their secretions through ducts. Examples of exocrine glands include the sebaceous and sweat glands of the skin. As just noted, the pancreas also has an exocrine function: most of its cells secrete pancreatic juice through the pancreatic and accessory ducts to the lumen of the small intestine.

Other Types of Chemical Signaling

In endocrine signaling, hormones secreted into the extracellular fluid diffuse into the blood or lymph, and can then travel great distances throughout the body. In contrast, autocrine signaling takes place within the same cell. An autocrine (auto- = “self”) is a chemical that elicits a response in the same cell that secreted it. Interleukin-1, or IL-1, is a signaling molecule that plays an important role in inflammatory response. The cells that secrete IL-1 have receptors on their cell surface that bind these molecules, resulting in autocrine signaling.

Local intercellular communication is the province of the paracrine , also called a paracrine factor, which is a chemical that induces a response in neighboring cells. Although paracrines may enter the bloodstream, their concentration is generally too low to elicit a response from distant tissues. A familiar example to those with asthma is histamine, a paracrine that is released by immune cells in the bronchial tree. Histamine causes the smooth muscle cells of the bronchi to constrict, narrowing the airways. Another example is the neurotransmitters of the nervous system, which act only locally within the synaptic cleft.

Career Connection

Endocrinologist.

Endocrinology is a specialty in the field of medicine that focuses on the treatment of endocrine system disorders. Endocrinologists—medical doctors who specialize in this field—are experts in treating diseases associated with hormonal systems, ranging from thyroid disease to diabetes mellitus. Endocrine surgeons treat endocrine disease through the removal, or resection, of the affected endocrine gland.

Patients who are referred to endocrinologists may have signs and symptoms or blood test results that suggest excessive or impaired functioning of an endocrine gland or endocrine cells. The endocrinologist may order additional blood tests to determine whether the patient’s hormonal levels are abnormal, or they may stimulate or suppress the function of the suspect endocrine gland and then have blood taken for analysis. Treatment varies according to the diagnosis. Some endocrine disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, may respond to lifestyle changes such as modest weight loss, adoption of a healthy diet, and regular physical activity. Other disorders may require medication, such as hormone replacement, and routine monitoring by the endocrinologist. These include disorders of the pituitary gland that can affect growth and disorders of the thyroid gland that can result in a variety of metabolic problems.

Some patients experience health problems as a result of the normal decline in hormones that can accompany aging. These patients can consult with an endocrinologist to weigh the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy intended to boost their natural levels of reproductive hormones.

In addition to treating patients, endocrinologists may be involved in research to improve the understanding of endocrine system disorders and develop new treatments for these diseases.

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Endocrine System Disorders NCLEX Practice Questions (50 Questions)

Welcome to your NCLEX practice questions quiz for endocrine system disorders. In this nursing test bank , test your nursing competence and knowledge on the nursing care of different endocrine system disorders.

Endocrine System Disorders Nursing Test Bank

In this section are the NCLEX practice questions for endocrine system disorders. This nursing test bank set includes 50 questions divided into two parts. All questions on this set are updated to give you the most challenging questions, along with insightful rationales to reinforce learning .

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Recommended Resources

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Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination is often referred to as the best nursing exam review book ever. More than 5,700 practice questions are available in the text. Detailed test-taking strategies are provided for each question, with hints for analyzing and uncovering the correct answer option.

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Anatomy & Physiology OER

• Chapter 1 - An Introduction to the Human Body
• Chapter 2 - The Chemical Level of Organization
• Chapter 3 - The Cellular Level of Organization
• Chapter 4 - The Tissue Level of Organization
• Chapter 5 - The Integumentary System
• Chapter 6 - Bone Tissue and the Skeletal System
• Chapter 7 - Axial Skeleton
• Chapter 8 - The Appendicular Skeleton
• Chapter 9 - Joints
• Chapter 10 - Muscle Tissue
• Chapter 11 - The Muscular System
• Chapter 12 - The Nervous System and Nervous Tissue
• Chapter 13 - Anatomy of the Nervous System
• Chapter 14 - The Somatic Nervous System
• Chapter 15 - The Autonomic Nervous System
• Chapter 16 - The Neurological Exam
• Chapter 17 - The Endocrine System
• Chapter 18 - The Cardiovascular System: Blood
• Chapter 19 - The Cardiovascular System: The Heart
• Chapter 20 - The Cardiovascular System: Blood Vessels and Circulation
• Chapter 21 - The Lymphatic and Immune System
• Chapter 22 - The Respiratory System
• Chapter 23 - The Digestive System
• Chapter 24 - Metabolism and Nutrition
• Chapter 25 - The Urinary System
• Chapter 26 - Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance
• Chapter 27 - The Reproductive System
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OpenStax Anatomy & Physiology

• Chapter 17 - OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e Link to chapter seventeen in the OpenStax Anatomy & Physiology book.
• Chapter 17 Outline The chapter seventeen outline in a Word document.
• Chapter 17 PowerPoint The chapter seventeen PowerPoint.
• Practice Quiz 17 The chapter seventeen practice quiz in a Word document.
• Chapter 17 Study Guide The chapter seventeen study guide in a Word document.

Additional Resources

• Interactions of Hormones PowerPoint PowerPoint about the interactions of hormones.
• Intro to the Endocrine System Link to a video showing a basic overview of hormones and the endocrine system.
• Endocrine Gland Hormone Review Link to a video about the endocrine system and how our body parts communicate.
• Action of Epinephrine Link to an animation of the events that occur when a hormone binds to a cell membrane receptor.
• Endocrine System, Pituitary Gland Link to an animation showing the role of the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.
• Parathyroid Glands Link to tissue sample of the parathyroid glands.
• Adrenal Glands Link to a tissue sample of the adrenal glands.
• Adrenal Glands Animation Link to an animation describing the location and function of the adrenal glands.
• What Does Melatonin Do? Link to an animation describing the function of the hormone melatonin.
• Pancreatic Islet Link to a tissue sample showing a pancreatic islet cell where insulin and glucagon are produced.
• Endocrine pancreas Link to a video about the endocrine pancreas.
• Mechanism of Action of Insulin Link to an animation describing the role of insulin and the pancreas in diabetes.
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