BIOL 382 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone, Posterior Pituitary, Anterior Pituitary
Document Summary
The endocrine system evolved with the circulatory system. In invertebrates, very diverse body plans correlate with diverse endocrine systems. A hormone must: have a signaling function, be transported via the circulatory system, bind to a specific receptor, exert its effects at extremely low concentrations. Same effect in different animals: hgh increases growth rate in fish, estrogen from pregnant mares can be used in post-menopausal women. Different effect in different animals: prolactin stimulates milk production in mammals, inhibits metamorphosis and promotes growth in amphibians, regulates water balance in fish. Causes blood vessels in the gut to contract. Causes blood vessel in the skeletal muscle to dilate. Cell signalling is important for regulation of physiological processes: sensor, the sensor detects the level or a regulated variable. It then sends a signal to an integrating center. Integrating centre: evaluates input from a sensor, sends signal to effector, effector, targets tissue that responds to signal from integrating center.
