DR. ABDALLA A. A.

Juma
• Control system: body function, growth, metabolism and behavior.
• Endocrine glands
 Hypothalamus  neural + endocrine.
 Pituitary.
 Thyroid.
 Parathyroid.
 Adrenal.
 Pancreas (Endo + Exo).
 Gonads (Endo + Exo).
 pineal, and thymus.
 Other: Adipose tissues, S intestine, stomach, kidneys, and heart…
Major Endocrine Organs
Summary of the Endocrine System
Summary of the Endocrine System
 Chemical from endo glands  blood  ECF  target cells.
 Have lag times ranging from seconds to hours.
 Tend to have prolonged effects.
 Certain glands are essential for life.
 Function is control and regulation of:
1. Growth and Development.
2. Energy regulation (storage & mobilization).
3. Internal homeostasis (fluids, ions, etc…)
4. Reproduction (sex, pregnancy, lactation).
5. Affect behavior and emotion…
 CLASSIFICATION
(1) Amino acid-based (peptide) hormones:
• Most hormones belong to this class, including:
Amines, thyroxine, peptide, and protein hormones.
(2) Steroid hormones:
• Gonadal and adrenocortical hormones…
• Specified receptor.
• Restricted / wide spread.
– E.g.
 ACTH receptors  adrenal cortex only.
 Thyroxin  nearly all cells of the body.
• Action depends on:
1. Blood level (concentration) of the hormone.
2. The affinity of those receptors for the hormone.
3. Relative number of receptors.
 Up-regulation – target cells  n. receptors.
 Down-regulation – target cells  n. receptors…
Concentration in blood:
• Hormones circulate as:
1. Bound: attached to plasma proteins (steroids and thyroid).
2. Free: water soluble (other hormones dissolved in plasma).
• Concentrations reflect:
Rate of release.
Speed of inactivation and removal from the body.

Interaction of Hormones at Target Cells

1. Permissiveness –hormone cannot exert its effects without another.
2. Synergism – more than one hormone produces the same effects.
3. Antagonism – hormone opposes the action of another hormone.

Inactivation and removal from blood:

1. Degrading enzymes.
2. Kidneys.
3. Liver enzyme systems...
Endocrine Reflex Pathways
 Stimulus.
 Afferent signal.
 Integration.
 Efferent signal (the hormone).
 Physiological action.
 Negative feedback…
Control of Hormone Release
• Hormones are synthesized and released in response to stimuli:
 Neural.
 Humoral.
 Hormonal.
• Blood levels controlled by negative feedback systems…
Negative Feedback Controls:
Long & Short Loop Reflexes