Physiology 1020 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Pancreatic Islets, Alpha Cell, Neuron
8 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
The process by which conditions in the body are maintained at constant levels. Performed by two special system using negative feedback loops: the nervous system and the endocrine system. Consists of a series of glands that secrete different chemicals into the blood another that affects another and so on. These hormones travel throughout the blood to their target site to initiate their effect. Maintenance of the internal environment (temp, fluid volume, osmolarity, etc. ) Unlike the nervous system, the endocrine system makes slow changes yet they last longer and are generally more widespread throughout the body. Indirectly affects organs at a distance by secreting chemicals into blood. A gland is a group of specialized cells that synthesize, store, and release a very special chemical (hormone) into the blood. The hormone is released into the blood and carried to specific target cells that have receptors for the hormone. The hormone will then either stimulate or inhibit the activity of the target cell.
