Chapter Objectives

After studying this chapter, students should be able to . . .

1.

Define the terms hormone and endocrine gland, and describe how chemical transformations in an endocrine gland or target cells can activate certain hormones.

2.

List the general chemical categories of hormones and give examples of hormones within each category.

3.

Explain how different hormones can exert synergistic, permissive, or antagonistic effects.

4.

Explain how hormone concentrations in the blood are regulated and how the effects of a hormone are influenced by its concentration.

5.

Describe the mechanisms of hormone action in the case of steroid and thyroid hormones.

6.

Describe the mechanism of hormone action in the case when cAMP is used as a second messenger.

7.

Describe the mechanism of hormone action in the case when Ca²⁺is used as a second messenger. 8.

8.

Describe the structure of the pituitary gland and explain the functional relationship between the pituitary and the hypothalamus.

9.

List the hormones released by the posterior pituitary, state the origin of these hormones, and explain how the hypothalamus regulates their release.

10.

List the hormones of the anterior pituitary and explain how their secretion is regulated by the hypothalamus.

11.

Describe the production and actions of the thyroid hormones and explain how thyroid secretion is regulated. 12.

12.

Describe the location of the parathyroid glands and explain the actions of PTH and the regulation of its secretion.

13.

Describe the types and actions of corticosteroids and explain how the secretions of the adrenal cortex are regulated.

14.

Describe the actions of epinephrine and norepinephrine, and explain how the secretions of the adrenal medulla are regulated.

15.

Explain why the pancreas is both an exocrine and an endocrine gland and describe the structure and functions of the pancreatic islets.

16.

Describe the actions of insulin and glucagon, and explain the regulation of their secretion.

17.

List the hormones secreted by the pineal gland and thymus, and explain the significance of these hormones in general terms.

18.

List the hormones secreted by the gonads and placenta.

19.

Describe autocrine and paracrine regulation with reference to the blood vessels and of immune system.

20.

Describe the chemical nature and physiological roles of the prostaglandins and explain how the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work.

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