Section 1.6 Lecture

Question 1

For every hormone, what core categories should you be able to identify?

Answer 1

Gland, hormone released, target cells, physiologic function, hyperfunction signs, hypofunction signs, regulating axis, and whether disease is primary, secondary, or tertiary.

Question 2

Why does the instructor emphasize thinking in systems rather than isolated facts?

Answer 2

Because endocrine function depends on organized axes, feedback loops, and predictable patterns of dysfunction.

Question 3

What universal framework can be used to study any endocrine gland?

Answer 3

A chart including gland, hormones, targets, function, hyper state, hypo state, regulating axis, feedback type, and disorder level.

Question 4

What does “hyperfunction” of a hormone mean?

Answer 4

Excess hormone causing exaggerated normal effects.

Question 5

What does “hypofunction” of a hormone mean?

Answer 5

Deficient hormone causing loss of normal effects.

Question 6

Why are diseases useful for learning endocrine physiology?

Answer 6

Because disease symptoms reflect what the hormone normally does.

Question 7

What hormones are produced by the thyroid gland?

Answer 7

T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine).

Question 8

What cells are targeted by thyroid hormones?

Answer 8

Nearly all cells in the body.

Question 9

What is the primary physiologic function of thyroid hormones?

Answer 9

Regulation of metabolism and heat production.

Question 10

What are classic signs of hyperthyroidism?

Answer 10

Increased temperature, sweating, tachycardia, nervousness, and weight loss.

Question 11

What are classic signs of hypothyroidism?

Answer 11

Cold intolerance, fatigue, decreased temperature, and weight gain.

Question 12

What is the hormone axis that controls thyroid function?

Answer 12

Hypothalamus (TRH) → Pituitary (TSH) → Thyroid (T3/T4).

Question 13

What type of feedback regulates the thyroid axis?

Answer 13

Negative feedback.

Question 14

How does negative feedback work in the thyroid axis?

Answer 14

High T3/T4 suppress TRH and TSH release upstream.

Question 15

What defines a primary endocrine disorder?

Answer 15

The problem originates in the target gland.

Question 16

What defines a secondary endocrine disorder?

Answer 16

The problem originates in the pituitary gland.

Question 17

What defines a tertiary endocrine disorder?

Answer 17

The problem originates in the hypothalamus.

Question 18

Why can primary, secondary, and tertiary disorders present with similar symptoms?

Answer 18

Because hormone effects on target tissues may be similar despite different causes.

Question 19

What is the key difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary disorders?

Answer 19

The location of the failure in the endocrine axis.

Question 20

What does the general endocrine control hierarchy look like?

Answer 20

Hypothalamus → Pituitary → Target gland → Target tissues.

Question 21

What does HPT stand for?

Answer 21

Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Thyroid axis.

Question 22

What does HPA stand for?

Answer 22

Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal axis.

Question 23

What does HPG stand for?

Answer 23

Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Gonadal axis.

Question 24

Which type of feedback is most common in the endocrine system?

Answer 24

Negative feedback.

Question 25

Give an example of positive feedback in the endocrine system.

Answer 25

Oxytocin release during labor.

Question 26

Why is positive feedback rare in physiology?

Answer 26

Because it amplifies responses and can destabilize homeostasis.

Question 27

Why is adipose tissue considered an endocrine organ?

Answer 27

Because it secretes hormones that influence metabolism and physiology.

Question 28

What other tissues does the instructor emphasize have endocrine roles?

Answer 28

Bone, heart, and the gastrointestinal tract.

Question 29

What is the instructor not primarily testing on exams?

Answer 29

Memorization of isolated hormone facts or disease lists.

Question 30

What is the instructor actually testing?

Answer 30

Ability to organize hormones, follow axes, predict symptoms, identify failure points, and understand feedback.

Question 31

What is the most efficient instructor-aligned study strategy?

Answer 31

Build endocrine charts, add hyper/hypo signs, map the axis and feedback, then practice identifying disorder levels.