Year 12 ATAR Human Biology: Endocrine
System Exam
Homeostasis ANSWERS process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable
internal environment
Hormone ANSWERS chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the
endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and affect another
Negative Feedback Loop ANSWERS a feedback loop that causes a system to
change in the opposite direction from which it is moving
Endocrine ANSWERS the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of
glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Exocrine ANSWERS gland that secretes its products through excretory ducts to
the surface of an organ or tissue or into a vessel
Alpha Cells ANSWERS Cells located in the islets of Langerhans that secrete
glucagon.
Testosterone ANSWERS the most important of the male sex hormones. Both
males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the
growth of the male sex organs in the foetus and the development of the male sex
characteristics during puberty
Oestrogen ANSWERS Female sex hormone which stimulates the lining of the
womb to build up in preparation for a pregnancy.
Paracrine ANSWERS relating to or denoting a hormone that has effect only in the
vicinity of the gland secreting it.
Target cells ANSWERS cells that have receptors for a particular hormone
Amine hormones ANSWERS A class of hormones, each composed of a single
amino acid that has been modified into a related molecule, such as melatonin or
epinephrine.
, Steroid hormones ANSWERS hormones that enter the target cells and have a
direct effect on the DNA of the nucleus
Direct gene activation ANSWERS the method of action of steroid hormones. They
bind to receptors in the cell, and then the hormone-receptor complex enters the nucleus
and activates certain genes
Second messenger system ANSWERS the method of action of non-steroidal
hormones. Receptors may be this kind, meaning they activate another molecule inside
the cell to make changes.
Gland ANSWERS an organ that produces and releases chemicals either through
ducts or into the bloodstream.
Pituitary Gland ANSWERS the endocrine system's most influential gland. Under
the influence of the hypothalamus, it regulates growth and controls other endocrine
glands.
Thyroid gland ANSWERS gland around the trachea. It produces hormones that
regulate metabolism, body heat, and bone growth
Parathyroid glands ANSWERS small pea-like organs that regulate calcium and
phosphate balance in blood, bones, and other tissues
Adrenal glands ANSWERS a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the
kidneys and secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress.
Adrenal cortex ANSWERS outer section of each adrenal gland; secretes cortisol,
aldosterone, and sex hormones
Adrenal medulla ANSWERS inner section of each adrenal gland; secretes
epinephrine and norepinephrine
Pineal gland ANSWERS secretes melatonin
Thymus gland ANSWERS gland in the chest that influences T cells to react to
foreign cells and aids in the immune response
Pancreas ANSWERS An organ in the abdominal cavity with two roles. The first is
an exocrine role: to produce digestive enzymes and bicarbonate, which are delivered to
the small intestine via the pancreatic duct. The second is an endocrine role: to secrete
insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream to help regulate blood glucose levels.
Gonads ANSWERS sex glands
System Exam
Homeostasis ANSWERS process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable
internal environment
Hormone ANSWERS chemical messengers, mostly those manufactured by the
endocrine glands, that are produced in one tissue and affect another
Negative Feedback Loop ANSWERS a feedback loop that causes a system to
change in the opposite direction from which it is moving
Endocrine ANSWERS the body's "slow" chemical communication system; a set of
glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream
Exocrine ANSWERS gland that secretes its products through excretory ducts to
the surface of an organ or tissue or into a vessel
Alpha Cells ANSWERS Cells located in the islets of Langerhans that secrete
glucagon.
Testosterone ANSWERS the most important of the male sex hormones. Both
males and females have it, but the additional testosterone in males stimulates the
growth of the male sex organs in the foetus and the development of the male sex
characteristics during puberty
Oestrogen ANSWERS Female sex hormone which stimulates the lining of the
womb to build up in preparation for a pregnancy.
Paracrine ANSWERS relating to or denoting a hormone that has effect only in the
vicinity of the gland secreting it.
Target cells ANSWERS cells that have receptors for a particular hormone
Amine hormones ANSWERS A class of hormones, each composed of a single
amino acid that has been modified into a related molecule, such as melatonin or
epinephrine.
, Steroid hormones ANSWERS hormones that enter the target cells and have a
direct effect on the DNA of the nucleus
Direct gene activation ANSWERS the method of action of steroid hormones. They
bind to receptors in the cell, and then the hormone-receptor complex enters the nucleus
and activates certain genes
Second messenger system ANSWERS the method of action of non-steroidal
hormones. Receptors may be this kind, meaning they activate another molecule inside
the cell to make changes.
Gland ANSWERS an organ that produces and releases chemicals either through
ducts or into the bloodstream.
Pituitary Gland ANSWERS the endocrine system's most influential gland. Under
the influence of the hypothalamus, it regulates growth and controls other endocrine
glands.
Thyroid gland ANSWERS gland around the trachea. It produces hormones that
regulate metabolism, body heat, and bone growth
Parathyroid glands ANSWERS small pea-like organs that regulate calcium and
phosphate balance in blood, bones, and other tissues
Adrenal glands ANSWERS a pair of endocrine glands that sit just above the
kidneys and secrete hormones that help arouse the body in times of stress.
Adrenal cortex ANSWERS outer section of each adrenal gland; secretes cortisol,
aldosterone, and sex hormones
Adrenal medulla ANSWERS inner section of each adrenal gland; secretes
epinephrine and norepinephrine
Pineal gland ANSWERS secretes melatonin
Thymus gland ANSWERS gland in the chest that influences T cells to react to
foreign cells and aids in the immune response
Pancreas ANSWERS An organ in the abdominal cavity with two roles. The first is
an exocrine role: to produce digestive enzymes and bicarbonate, which are delivered to
the small intestine via the pancreatic duct. The second is an endocrine role: to secrete
insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream to help regulate blood glucose levels.
Gonads ANSWERS sex glands
