Endocrine system (thyroid, adrenal, pancreas) — Flashcards

Flashcard 1: What is the effect of the FGF gene?

Answer: stimulates mitosis of underlying mesoderm, lengthening of limbs

Flashcard 2: What is the embryological origin of the adrenal medulla?

Answer: Neural crest cells

Extra: The adrenal medulla is essentially a modified sympathetic ganglion. While the medulla is derived from the neural crest (ectoderm), the adrenal cortex is derived from the mesoderm.

Flashcard 3: Identify the structure labeled '10' in the provided image of the spinal cord (Endocrine/Autonomic context).

Answer: Intermediate horn (Sympathetics) :: number 10 in the diagram

Flashcard 4: Effect of a lesion to the Reticular Activating System (RAS)?

Answer: Reduced wakefulness and arousability (e.g., coma)

Flashcard 5: What cells and tissue make CSF?

Answer: Ependymal cells of choroid plexus

Flashcard 6: Location of the thirst center in the brain:

Answer: Hypothalamus (Organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis [OVLT])

Flashcard 7: Which structure regulates the hormone secretion of the anterior pituitary?

Answer: Hypothalamus (via the hypophyseal portal system)

Extra: The hypothalamus controls the anterior pituitary (adenohypophysis) through the secretion of releasing and inhibiting hormones into the hypophyseal portal system. In contrast, the posterior pituitary (neurohypophysis) is controlled via direct neural pathways.

Flashcard 8: Which area of the hypothalamus controls the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer: Posterior hypothalamus (and lateral hypothalamus), limbic system

Extra: The anterior hypothalamus generally controls the parasympathetic nervous system.

Flashcard 9: What kind of blood solutes can readily cross the blood-brain barrier?

Answer: nonpolar substances

Flashcard 10: Which polar blood solutes cross the blood-brain barrier via carrier-mediated transport (facilitated diffusion or active transport)?

Answer: Glucose, amino acids (via facilitated diffusion/carrier-mediated transport) and certain ions/nutrients (via active transport) :: e.g. Glucose, Amino acids

Extra: While glucose and amino acids use carrier-mediated transport (specifically facilitated diffusion via GLUT1 and LAT1), the blood-brain barrier also utilizes active transport (ATP-dependent) for ions (like Na+, K+) and for moving certain metabolites/waste products out of the brain. Common exam questions often group 'carrier-mediated' mechanisms together when discussing BBB permeability for polar nutrients.