| acromegaly | a condition caused by hypersecretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland; characterized by enlargement of the extremities, such as the jaw, nose, and fingers.
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| adenylate cyclase | enzyme found in cell membranes that catalyzes the conversion of ATP to cyclic AMP.
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| adrenal cortex | the outer portion of the adrenal gland. Synthesizes and secretes corticosteroid hormones, such as cortisol, aldosterone, and androgens.
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| adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) | a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal cortex.
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| aldosterone | a corticosteroid hormone involved in the regulation of electrolyte balance.
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| alpha receptors | a subtype of adrenergic receptors located on cell membranes of selected tissues.
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| anabolic steroid | a prescription drug that has anabolic, or growth-stimulating, characteristics similar to that of the male androgen, testosterone.
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| androgenic steroid | a compound that has the qualities of an androgen; associated with masculine characteristics.
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| androgens | male sex hormones. Synthesized in the testes and in limited amounts in the adrenal cortex. Steroids that have masculinizing effects.
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| angiotensin I and II | these compounds are polypeptides formed from the cleavage of a protein (angiotensinogen) by the action of the enzyme renin produced by the kidneys, and converting enzyme in the lung, respectively.
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| anterior pituitary | the anterior portion of the pituitary gland that secretes follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, growth hormone, and prolactin.
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| antidiuretic hormone (ADH) | hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland that promotes water retention by the kidney.
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| beta receptors | adrenergic receptors located on cell membranes. Combine mainly with epinephrine and, to some degree, with norepinephrine.
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| calcitonin | hormone, released from the thyroid gland, that plays a minor role in calcium metabolism.
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| calmodulin | part of second messenger system involving calcium that results in changes in the activity of intracellular enzymes.
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| catecholamines | organic compounds, including epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
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| cortisol | a glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex upon stimulation by ACTH.
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| cyclic AMP | a substance produced from ATP through the action of adenylate cyclase that alters several chemical processes in the cell.
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| diabetes mellitus | a condition characterized by high blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin. Type I diabetics are insulin dependent, whereas Type II diabetics are resistant to insulin.
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| diacylglycerol | a molecule derived from a membrane-bound phospholipid, phosphatidylinositol, that activates protein kinase C, and alters cellular activity.
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| endocrine gland | a gland that produces and secretes its products directly into the blood or interstitial fluid (ductless glands).
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| endorphin | a neuropeptide produced by the pituitary gland having pain-suppressing activity.
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| epinephrine | a hormone synthesized by the adrenal medulla; also called adrenaline.
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| estrogens | female sex hormones, including estradiol and estrone. Produced primarily in the ovary and also produced in the adrenal cortex.
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| follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) | a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the development of an ovarian follicle in the female and the production of sperm in the male.
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| G protein | the link between the hormone-receptor interaction on the surface of the membrane and the subsequent events inside the cell.
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| glucagon | a hormone produced by the pancreas that increases blood glucose and free fatty acid levels.
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| glucocorticoids | any one of a group of hormones produced by the adrenal cortex that influences carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.
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| growth hormone | hormone synthesized and secreted by the anterior pituitary that stimulates growth of the skeleton and soft tissues during the growing years. It is also involved in the mobilization of the body's energy stores.
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| hormone | a chemical substance that is synthesized and released by an endocrine gland and transported to a target organ via the blood.
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| hypothalamic somatostatin | hypothalamic hormone that inhibits growth hormone secretion; also secreted from the delta cells of the islets of Langerhans.
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| hypothalamus | brain structure that integrates many physiological functions to maintain homeostasis; site of secretion of hormones released by the posterior pituitary; also releases hormones that control anterior pituitary secretions.
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| inositol triphosphate | a molecule derived from a membrane-bound phospholipid, phosphatidylinositol, that causes calcium release from intracellular stores and alters cellular activity.
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| insulin | hormone released from the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in response to elevated blood glucose and amino acid concentrations; increases tissue uptake of both.
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| luteinizing hormone (LH) | also called "interstitial cell stimulating hormone"; a surge of LH stimulates ovulation in middle of menstrual cycle; LH stimulates testosterone production in men.
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| mineralocorticoids | steroid hormones released from the adrenal cortex that are responsible for Na1 and K1 regulation (e.g., aldosterone).
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| neuroendocrinology | study of the role of the nervous and endocrine systems in the automatic regulation of the internal environment.
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| norepinephrine | a hormone and neurotransmitter; released from postganglionic nerve endings and the adrenal medulla.
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| pancreas | gland containing both exocrine and endocrine portions; exocrine secretions include enzymes and bicarbonate to digest food in the small intestine; endocrine secretions include insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin, which are released into the blood.
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| phosphodiesterase | an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of cyclic AMP, moderating the effect of the hormonal stimulation of adenylate cyclase.
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| phospholipase C | membrane-bound enzyme that hydrolyzes phosphatidylinositol into inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol that, in turn, bring about changes in intracellular activity.
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| pituitary gland | a gland at the base of the hypothalamus of the brain having an anterior portion that produces and secretes numerous hormones that regulate other endocrine glands and a posterior portion that secretes hormones that are produced in the hypothalamus.
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| posterior pituitary gland | portion of the pituitary gland secreting oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin) that are produced in the hypothalamus.
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| prolactin | hormone secreted from the anterior pituitary that increases milk production from the breast.
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| protein kinase C | part of second messenger system that is activated by diacylglycerol and results in the activation of proteins in the cell.
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| releasing hormone | hypothalamic hormones released from neurons into the anterior pituitary that control the release of hormones from that gland.
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| renin | enzyme secreted by special cells in the kidney that converts angiotensinogen to angiotensin I.
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| second messenger | a molecule (cyclic AMP) or ion (Ca11) that increases in a cell as a result of an interaction between a "first messenger" (e.g., hormone or neurotransmitter) and a receptor that alters cellular activity.
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| sex steroids | a group of hormones, androgens and estrogens, secreted from the adrenal cortex and the gonads.
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| somatomedins | groups of growth-stimulating peptides released primarily from the liver in response to growth hormone.
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| somatostatin | hormone produced in the hypothalamus that inhibits growth hormone release from the anterior pituitary gland; secreted from cells in the islet of Langerhans and causes a decrease in intestinal activity.
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| steroids | a class of lipids, derived from cholesterol, that includes the hormones testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, and aldosterone.
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| testosterone | the steroid hormone produced in the testes; involved in growth and development of reproductive tissues, sperm, and secondary sex characteristics.
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| thyroid gland | endocrine gland located in the neck that secretes triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which increase the metabolic rate.
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| thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) | hormone released from the anterior pituitary gland; stimulates the thyroid gland to increase its secretion of thyroxine and triiodothyronine.
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| thyroxine | hormone secreted from the thyroid gland containing four iodine atoms (T4); stimulates the metabolic rate and facilitates the actions of other hormones.
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| triiodothyronine | hormone secreted from the thyroid gland containing three iodine atoms (T3); stimulates the metabolic rate and facilitates the actions of other hormones.
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