BIO102 Unit 9
Drugs & Endocrine System
Glossary
acromegaly
a condition resulting from an increase in growth hormone production after adult height has been reach.
addison disease
a disease caused by low level of adrenal cortex hormones resulting in the loss of sodium and low blood pressure; this disease can be fatal.
adrenal glands
there are two adrenal glands located one on top of each kidney. Each of these glands are divided into two endocrine glands the inner adrenal medulla and the outer adrenal cortex with each part secreting different hormones.
adrenal cortex
the outer portion of the adrenal glands that function as endocrine glands by secreting the hormones aldosterone, cortisol, and sex hormones.
adrenal medulla
the inner portion of the adrenal glands that function as endocrine glands by secreting the hormones epinephrine and norephinephrine which prepares the body for flight or fight..
adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal cortex gland to secrete their own hormones during times of physiological stress like when injured or exercising.
alcohol
the most abused drug in the United States; a depressant that inhibits neurotransmitters and can disrupt normal liver functioning.
aldosterone
one of the mineralocorticoid hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex gland which maintains the sodium and potassium blood levels.
anterior pituitary gland
a portion of the pituitary gland that produces six different hormones that is controlled by hypothalamic releasing hormones.
antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
a hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland that is produced by the hypothalamus that increases the absorption of water by the kidney tubules which decreases the amount of urine formed.
calcitonin
a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland which lowers the calcium blood levels; the target organs of this hormone are the bones, intestine and the kidneys.
cocaine
a stimulant derived from the cocoa shrub which causes the user to experience a sensation of a rush; can lead to experiences of withdrawal and intense craving sensations.
cortisol
a glucocorticoid hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex that increases the use of fat and excess amino acids for energy; causes the “glucose sparing effect” during times of physiological stress.
depressants
a type of drug which decreases the likelihood of neuron excitation by impacting on the limbic system or inhibiting neurotransmitters.
diabetes mellitus
condition characterized by a high blood glucose level and the appearance of glucose in the urine due to a deficiency of insulin production.
endocrine gland
one of the several hormone producing glands of the body that secrete their hormones directly into the blood and are therefore termed ductless glands.
estrogen
a hormone secreted by the ovaries that promotes maturation of the ovum and prepares the uterus for a fertilized egg; also responsible for secondary sexual female characteristics.
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland whose target organs are either the ovaries or the testes.
glucagon
a hormone secreted by the pancreas that raises the glucose blood levels; the target organ of this hormone is the liver.
growth hormone (GH)
a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, sometimes galled somatotropin, that stimulates growth of the body by increasing the metabolism and reproductive rates of the cells of the body.
heroin
a depressant drug derived from morphine which can produce a feeling of euphoria and relieve pain; this drug can produce a strong physical dependency and violent withdrawal symptoms.
hormones
chemicals produced and secreted by the various endocrine glands that effect specific target organs of the body.
insulin
a hormone secreted by the pancreas that lowers that blood glucose levels; target organs of this hormone are cells of the body and the liver.
islets of Langerhans
the hormone producing cells of the pancreas gland that secrete insulin and glucagon.
luteinizing hormone (LH)
a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland responsible for ovulation and the stimulates the production of progesterone in females; in males, this hormones stimulates the production of testosterone in the testes.
marijuana
a drug derived from a the dried flowering tops leaves and stems of the cannabis plant; usually smoked this drug can result in mild euphoria, alterations in vision and judgment distorting space and time.
melatonin
a hormone produced by the pineal gland which helps regulate a persons daily cycle or circadian rhythms; levels are high at night promoting sleepiness and low during the day as we awake.
methamphetamine
a stimulant sometimes called speed which causes a sensation of a rush similar to cocaine but the effects last longer.
nicotine
a stimulant that is a derivative of tobacco products that can lead to cardiovascular diseases and cancer; this drug can also induce physical and psychological dependency.
ovaries
reproductive and endocrine glands in females that are located in the pelvic cavity; they secrete the hormones estrogen and progesterone.
oxytocin
a hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary that is produced by the hypothalamus which stimulates contractions of the uterus during childbirth and effects the release of milk from the mammary glands.
pancreas
an endocrine gland located in the upper left region of the abdominal cavity that secretes the hormones insulin and glucagon.
parathormone or parathyroid hormone (PTH)
a hormone produced by the parathyroid gland that raises the blood calcium levels; this hormone works as an antagonist to calcitonin.
parathyroid gland
there are four of these glands located on the back of each lobe of the thyroid gland; they produce the hormone parathormone.
pineal gland
an endocrine gland located in the brain that produces the hormone called melatonin.
pituitary dwarf
underdevelopment of a person due to the lack of sufficient growth hormone production during childhood.
posterior pituitary gland
the portion of the pituitary gland that releases the hormones ADH and oxytocin that are produced by the hypothalamus.
progesterone
a hormone secreted by the ovaries that helps maintain pregnancy and helps prepare the mammary glands for milk production.
prolactin
a hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that is responsible for lactation by initiating and maintaining milk production by the mammary glands.
simple goiter
a disorder which causes an enlargement of the thyroid gland due to constant stimulation by the pituitary gland.
stimulant
a type of drug which increases the likelihood of neuron excitation by impacting on the limbic system or inhibiting neurotransmitters.
testes
reproductive and endocrine glands located in the scrotum, a sac of skin between the upper thighs, that secrete the hormone testosterone.
testosterone
a hormone secreted by the testes in males that promotes the maturation of sperm; also this hormone is responsible for the male secondary sexual characteristics.
thymosin
a hormone secreted by the thymus gland that aids in the maturation of the T-lymphocytes.
thymus gland
a lobular endocrine gland located beneath the sternum which secretes the hormone thymosin.
thyoid gland
an endocrine gland located on the anterior and lateral surface of the trachea just below the larynx that secretes the hormones thyroxine and calcitonin.
thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
A hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete a hormone of its own
.
thyroxine
a hormone secreted by the thyoid gland whose target organ is all the tissues of the body which stimulates energy production and protein synthesis contributing to the overall growth of the body.