Unit Endocrine System Flashcard

Front

What is the function of insulin in the endocrine system?

Back

Insulin is a pancreatic hormone that decreases blood glucose levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells.

Front

What are the three steps of signal transduction?

Back

The three steps of signal transduction are reception, transduction, and response.

Front

What is paracrine signaling?

Back

Paracrine signaling is a form of cell signaling where the target cell is close to the signal-releasing cell, allowing for localized communication.

Front

Describe the transduction stage of a signal transduction pathway.

Back

In the transduction stage, the g protein changes shape, is activated, activates adenyl cyclase, which then activates cAMP, leading to the activation of protein kinases.

Front

What occurs during the reception stage of a signal transduction pathway?

Back

During the reception stage, a signaling molecule, such as epinephrine, binds to a g-protein coupled receptor protein present in the cell membrane.

Front

What is the role of cAMP in signal transduction?

Back

cAMP acts as a second messenger that activates protein kinases, which then phosphorylate target proteins to elicit a cellular response.

Front

What is the difference between endocrine and paracrine signaling?

Back

Endocrine signaling involves hormones released into the bloodstream affecting distant target cells, while paracrine signaling involves local signaling between nearby cells.

Front

What is the significance of protein kinases in signal transduction?

Back

Protein kinases are enzymes that phosphorylate target proteins, leading to changes in their activity and function, thus propagating the signal.

Front

What is a g-protein coupled receptor?

Back

A g-protein coupled receptor is a membrane receptor that, when bound by a signaling molecule, activates a g-protein, initiating a signal transduction pathway.

Front

How does epinephrine affect glycogen metabolism?

Back

Epinephrine promotes glycogen breakdown and inhibits glycogen synthesis, leading to increased glucose availability in response to stress.