Module J - Endocrine System

Learning outcomes for this module as of Fall 2019:

Please note: Those headings which have associated teaching tips are underlined, clickable links. However, while this identifies which topics have associated teaching tips, the actual list of teaching tips you click through to includes all teaching tips for this module, not only the ones for one particular topic in this module.

Topic from HAPS Guidelines (in bold font)

Learning Outcomes (indented, regular font)

1. General functions of the endocrine system

1. Describe the major functions of the endocrine system.

2. Define the terms hormone, endocrine gland, endocrine tissue (organ), and target cell.

3. Compare and contrast how the nervous and endocrine systems control body functions, the anatomical pathways by which the signals reach their targets, what determines the target of the pathway, the speed of the target response(s), the duration of the response, and how signal intensity is coded.

4. *Explain the difference between classic hormones and neurohormones.

2. Chemical classification of hormones and mechanism of hormone actions at receptors

1. List the three major chemical classes of hormones (i.e., steroid, peptide, amino acid-derived [amine]) found in the human body.

2. Compare and contrast how steroid and peptide hormones are produced and stored in the endocrine cell, released from the endocrine cell, and transported in the blood.

3. Compare and contrast the locations of target cell receptors for steroid and peptide hormones.

4. Compare and contrast the mechanisms of action of plasma membrane hormone receptors and intracellular hormone receptors, including the speed of the response.

3. Control of hormone secretion

1. Describe the various signals that initiate hormone production and secretion (e.g., monitored variables, direct innervation, neurohormones, other hormones).

2. Describe a simple endocrine pathway in which the response is the negative feedback signal (e.g., parathyroid hormone, insulin).

4. Endocrine control by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland

1. Describe the locations and the anatomical relationships of the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, and posterior pituitary, including the hypothalamic-hypophyseal portal system.

2. Compare and contrast negative feedback for hypothalamic-anterior pituitary-peripheral endocrine gland pathways to negative feedback for most simple endocrine pathways.

3. Describe major hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary, their control pathways, and their primary target(s) and effects.

4. Explain the role of hypothalamic neurohormones (regulatory hormones) in the release of anterior pituitary hormones.

5. Name the two hormones produced by the hypothalamus that are stored in the posterior pituitary, and the hormones’ primary targets and effects.

6. Explain the role of the hypothalamus in the release of hormones from the posterior pituitary.

5. Endocrine structures and their hormones

1. Describe the anatomy of the thyroid gland, its location, the

major hormones secreted, the control pathway(s) for hormone secretion, and the hormones’ primary targets and effects.

2. Describe the anatomy of the parathyroid glands, their location, the major hormone secreted, the control pathway(s) for hormone secretion, and the hormone’s primary targets and effects.

3. Describe the anatomy of the adrenal cortex, its location, the major hormones secreted, the control pathway(s) for hormone secretion, and the hormones’ primary targets and effects.

4. Describe the anatomy of the pancreas, its location, the major hormones secreted, the control pathway(s) for hormone secretion, and the hormones’ primary targets and effects.

5. Describe the anatomy of the thymus gland, its location, the major hormones secreted, the control pathway(s) for hormone secretion, and the hormones’ primary targets and effects.

6. Provide some examples of hormones that are secreted from diffuse endocrine tissues or single endocrine cells.

6. Local chemical messengers

1. Define the terms paracrine and autocrine.

2. List two major types of eicosanoids and describe their functions.

3. Describe the function of growth factors.

4. *Describe the major functions of nitric oxide (NO) and its half-life.

5. Compare and contrast classic hormones with paracrines, autocrines, growth factors, and cytokines.

7. Hormonal response to stress

1. Describe the general adaptation syndrome in response to stress.

2. *List the hormones released during short-term stress and describe their actions.

3. *List the hormones released during long-term stress and describe their actions.

8. Application of homeostatic mechanisms

1. Describe examples of how the endocrine organs interact with other body organs and systems to maintain homeostasis.

9. Predictions related to disruption of homeostasis

1. Given a factor or situation (e.g., lack of iodine in the diet), predict the changes that could occur in the endocrine system and the consequences of those changes (i.e., given a cause, state a possible effect).

2. *Given a disruption in the structure or function of the endocrine system (e.g., hypothyroidism), predict the possible factors or situations that might have caused that disruption (i.e., given an effect, predict possible causes).

Note: An asterisk (*) preceding a learning outcome designates it as an optional, advanced learning outcome. The HAPS A&P Comprehensive Exam does not address these optional learning outcomes.