Endocrine Questions

1. Describe signal transduction, and give a physiological and a metaphorical example.
2. List the types of ligands and be able to identify the major features of each.
3. What is the enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogens?
4. What is the precursor to prostaglandins? Name to major prostaglandins and their main effects.
5. What is the precursor for dopamine? What other ligands can dopamine be converted into?
6. What is the relationship between carbohydrates and proteins? Why would a protein/peptide need to have carbohydrates attached to it?
7. Where can receptors be located? What is their major function? Why is the most common receptor in mammals called “7-transmembrane G-coupled receptor.”
8. List the major second messengers. What do second messengers do? Are second messengers the “second” event that takes place after the ligand binds to the receptor?
9. What is the “classic” definition of a hormone? Why does this definition limit what scientists call “endocrinology?”
10. List the types of endocrine actions.
11. What parts of the brain are the major “conductors” of most endocrine actions?
12. What is the difference between the anterior and posterior pituitary glands (location, type of tissues, secretions, etc.)?
13. What is the Hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system? What is its major function/purpose?
14. What are the main hormones secreted from the hypothalamus? What are their main targets?
15. What types of cells are in the anterior pituitary and what do they secerete? Are there cells in the posterior pituitary? Why or Why not.
16. Describe/draw a diagram the HPA axis. Predict what would happen if a component was removed from this system (example, if the adrenals were removed, the pituitary gland blocked etc.)
17. What are the major hormones of the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla?
18. In order from the periphery into the center, list the three types of adrenal regions/tissues.
19. Describe/ draw a diagram of the HPG axis for males and females.
20. What is the major function of oxytocin? What role does it play in lactation, parturition (birth), and other functions.
21. What is prolactin and what is its major function.
22. Are the sex hormones limited to their action by gender? What effect does testosterone or estrogen have on the brain during development?
23. What does the thyroid axis regulate? What are the major hormones?
24. What are the two major cells of the pancreas and what do they secrete?
25. Why would glucagon or insulin be secreted? What is their major functions?
26. Does GH directly control growth? What other factors control growth?
27. What happens if there is an over secretion of GH during childhood vs. adulthood?
28. What roles to calcitonin and PTH have in calcium homeostasis?
29. What would happen if the parathyroids were excised?