Exploring Endocrine and Respiratory Systems - Essay Example

Introduction
Endocrine System
Number Name of the Organ Function\Hormone(s) Produced or Secreted 
1 Parathyroid Glands Parathyroid hormone 
2 Thyroid Gland Thyroxine, calcitonin 
3 Pineal Gland Melatonin 
4

Hypothalamus Produces ADH and oxytocin, regulatory hormones for the anterior pituitary. 
Produces and secretes TRH, Dopamine, GHRH, Somatostatin, and Gonadotropin. 
5 Pituitary Gland Anterior: Produces and secretes ACTH, TSH, GH, FSH, LH, MSH 
Posterior: Secretes Oxytocin and ADH 
6 Thymus Thymosins 
7 Heart Atrial natriuretic peptide, brain natriuretic peptide 
8 Stomach Ghrelin, Gastrin, Histamine, Neuropeptide Y, Endothelin 
9 Kidney Erythropoietin, Renin, Calcitriol 
10 Small Intestine 
(duodenum) Secretin, cholecystokinin 
11 Liver Insulin-like Growth factor 1 (IGF-1), Angiotensinogen, Thrombopoietin 
12 Adrenal Glands Medulla: epinephrine, norepinephrine. 
Cortex: glucocorticoids (cortisol), aldosterone, testosterone 
13 Pancreas Insulin, glucagon 
14 Testes Androgens, testosterone 
15 Uterus Prolactin and Relaxin, when pregnant 
16 Ovary Estrogens, progesterone 

Circulatory (Cardiovascular) System Functions
Number Name of the Structure Major Function 
1 Carotid arteries Delivers blood to the head and brain 
2 Jugular veins Carries blood from the head to the heart 
3 Superior vena cava Carries blood from the upper body back to the heart 
4 Pulmonary veins Carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart 
5 Aorta Delivers blood to the body tissue 
6 Pulmonary arteries Delivers oxygen-poor blood to the lungs 
7 Coronary arteries Deliver blood to the heart muscle cells 
8 Inferior vena cava Carries blood from the lower body back to the heart 
9 Renal vein Carries blood from the kidney to the heart 
10 Iliac vein Delivers blood from the pelvic organs and abdominal wall to the heart 
11 Radial vein Carries blood from the hand to the heart 
12 Renal artery Delivers blood to the kidneys 
13 Iliac artery Delivers blood to the pelvic organs and abdominal wall 
14 Radial artery Delivers blood to the hands 
15 Femoral vein Carries blood from the thigh and inner knee to the heart 
16 Femoral artery Delivers blood from the thigh and inner knee 

Respiratory System Functions
Number Name of the Organ or Structure Major Function 
1 Sinuses Cavities in the skull; lightens head, warms and moistens the air 
2 Nasal cavity Produces mucus; filters, warms, and moistens air; olfaction 
3 Pharynx Passageway for air and food 
4 Epiglottis Covers the larynx during swallowing 
5 Larynx Air passageway; prevents food and drink from entering the lower respiratory system, produces voice 
6 Lungs Contains alveoli and air passageways, allowing the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the atmosphere and blood 
7 Trachea Connects the larynx with the bronchi leading to the lungs and conducts air to and from the bronchi 
8 Bronchi Two branches of the trachea that conduct air from the trachea to the lungs 
9 Bronchioles Narrow passageways to conduct air from bronchi to alveoli  
10 Alveoli Microscopic chambers for gas exchange  
11 Intercostal muscles Move ribs during breathing 
12 Diaphragm Muscle sheet between the chest and abdominal cavities with a role in breathing 

Endocrine System
Question 1: How do the insulin and glucagon secreted by the pancreas function in glucose metabolism?
Answer 1:
The normal function of the body's organs requires energy. While many tissues are capable of utilizing other energy sources such as fat and protein, the brain and the red blood cells can only use glucose. Glucose is normally stored in the form of glycogen in the liver when there is high consumption compared to the demand for energy. Glycogenesis is the process through which glycogen stored in the body tissues is converted into glucose when the blood glucose goes down. Blood glucose can go down during starvation or intense exercises thus through glycogenesis, carbohydrates and non-carbohydrate precursors such as glycerol, amino acids, and pyruvate can be converted into glucose. 

The endocrine pancreas plays a very important role in the metabolism of glucose. The pancreas, grouped together in the islets of Langerhans is made of four different cells, each playing its own specific function: beta cells produce proinsulin which is the inactive form of insulin, PP cells produce pancreatic polypeptide, Alpha cells produce glucagon while delta cells produce somatostatin. According to Tortora & Derrickson (2008), glucagon and insulin work synergistically to regulate the normal concentration of glucose. When the blood glucose goes higher above 5 mmol/l, the beta cells are stimulated to surcease C-peptide and insulin while the Alpha cells remain inactive and hold on to glucagon hormone.  Read More