Endocrine Study Guide

Hormonal Control Mechanisms

• Chemical classification of specific hormones - amines, peptides, steroids
• Know how the various hormones are synthesized (in general, you don't have to know specific chemical pathways, know how peptide hormones are
• processed from preprohormones and prohormones )
• Know which glands responsible for secreting the various hormones
• Know how hormones are transport in blood and how the transport system affects distribution, metabolism and excretion of the hormone
• Mechanisms of metabolism - general
• Know what kind of receptors the various hormones activate (plasma membrane vs. intracellular)

Hypothalamus and Pituitary

• Know anatomy of hypothalamus and pituitary
• Know the hypothalamic tropic hormones and their actions
• Know which hormones are secreted by the posterior and anterior pituitary
• Know the actions of the hormones secreted by the posterior and anterior pituitary
• Know the feedback regulation of the hormones
• Know the classes of endocrine disorders - primary and secondary hyposecretion, hypersecretion hyperesonsiveness and hyporesonsiveness and be able to apply these classifications to specific endocrine diseases.

Introduction to Metabolism

• Know what metabolic processes occurs in absorptive and postabsorptive states
• Know metabolic pathways of carbohydrates, amino acids and lipids in absorptive state
• Know metabolic pathways of carbohydrates, amino acids and lipids in postabsorptive state

Regulation of Metabolism

• Know actions, mechanisms and regulation of insulin
• Know glucose counter-regulatory mechanisms glucagon, sympathetic control, effects of cortisol and growth hormone
• Know symptoms and mechanisms for hypoglycemia
• Know symptoms and mechanisms of insulin-dependent and insulin-independent diabetes mellitus
• A good study exercise would be to list the metabolic and hormonal events for 4-6 hrs following a Thanksgiving day meal (determine the fates of the protein, carbohydrates and lipids)

Energy Balance and temperature regulation

• Know factors and hormones that determine basal metabolic rate
• Know synthesis, effects and regulation of thyroid hormone
• Know mechanisms and symptoms involved with primary and secondary thyroid hypo and hypersecretion (know thyroid diseases)
• Know mechanisms that control food intake
• Know mechanisms for controlling body temperature

Stress and Growth

• Know responses to stress - cortisol release and sympathetic activation and other hormonal responses
• Know actions of glucocorticoids
• Know diseases of glucocorticoid system, know names, symptoms and pathology
• Know what hormones control growth and their effects and regulation: growth hormone, IGF-1, thyroid hormone, insulin, cortisol, sex hormones