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Hormonal coordination in humans
Study how hormones coordinate slower, longer-lasting responses and how feedback systems control important internal conditions.
75
Objectives
10
Flashcards
10
Questions
90 min
Study time
AqaGcseBiologyHomeostasis and response
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75 objective pages available
Human endocrine system8 objectives
- Describe the endocrine system as a system of glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.
- Explain that hormones travel in the blood to target organs where they produce an effect.
- Compare hormonal coordination with nervous coordination in terms of speed and duration of response.
- Describe the pituitary gland as a master gland that secretes several hormones into the blood.
- Explain that pituitary hormones act on other glands to stimulate the release of other hormones.
- Identify the pituitary gland, pancreas, thyroid, adrenal gland, ovaries and testes as endocrine glands.
- Describe hormones as chemical messengers involved in coordinating body functions.
- Apply knowledge of target organs to explain why hormones affect only specific tissues.
Control of blood glucose concentration15 objectives
- Describe the pancreas as the organ that monitors and controls blood glucose concentration.
- Explain that insulin is secreted by the pancreas when blood glucose concentration is too high.
- Explain that insulin causes glucose to move from the blood into cells.
- Explain that insulin causes excess glucose to be converted into glycogen in the liver and muscles.
- Describe Type 1 diabetes as a disorder in which the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin.
- Explain why people with Type 1 diabetes need insulin injections to control blood glucose concentration.
- Describe Type 2 diabetes as a disorder in which body cells no longer respond properly to insulin.
- Explain how a carbohydrate-controlled diet and exercise can help control Type 2 diabetes.
- Explain the link between obesity and increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.
- Compare Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in terms of cause and treatment.
- Evaluate information about diabetes, obesity and lifestyle in social, economic or ethical contexts.
- Interpret graphs and data showing blood glucose concentration before and after meals or treatment.
- Explain (HT only) that glucagon is secreted by the pancreas when blood glucose concentration is too low.
- Explain (HT only) that glucagon causes glycogen to be converted back into glucose.
- Explain (HT only) how insulin and glucagon interact in a negative feedback cycle to control blood glucose concentration.
Maintaining water and nitrogen balance in the body (biology only)16 objectives
- Explain why water and ion levels must be controlled to prevent too much water entering or leaving body cells by osmosis.
- Describe water loss from the lungs during exhalation and from the skin in sweat.
- Describe water, ions and urea loss from the skin in sweat.
- Explain why water loss through the lungs and skin cannot be precisely controlled.
- Describe the kidneys as organs that remove excess water, ions and urea from the blood in urine.
- Explain why removing excess water, ions and urea is important for internal balance.
- Explain (HT only) that proteins are digested to amino acids and excess amino acids cannot be stored.
- Describe (HT only) deamination in the liver as removal of the amino group from excess amino acids to produce ammonia.
- Explain (HT only) that toxic ammonia is converted into urea for safe excretion.
- Describe kidney function as filtration of blood followed by selective reabsorption of useful substances.
- Explain that students are not required to know kidney structure or nephron structure in detail.
- Interpret data comparing concentrations of glucose, ions and urea in blood, filtrate and urine.
- Explain (HT only) how ADH controls the permeability of kidney tubules to water.
- Explain (HT only) how ADH release is controlled by negative feedback to maintain blood water concentration.
- Describe kidney dialysis as a treatment that removes urea and balances ions for people with kidney failure.
- Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of kidney dialysis and kidney transplant.
Hormones in human reproduction9 objectives
- Describe testosterone as the main male reproductive hormone produced by the testes.
- Explain that testosterone stimulates sperm production and controls male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty.
- Describe oestrogen as the main female reproductive hormone produced by the ovaries.
- Explain that oestrogen controls female secondary sexual characteristics at puberty and is involved in the menstrual cycle.
- Describe FSH as the hormone that causes an egg to mature in an ovary.
- Describe LH as the hormone that stimulates ovulation.
- Describe oestrogen and progesterone as hormones involved in maintaining the uterus lining.
- Explain (HT only) how FSH, oestrogen, LH and progesterone interact during the menstrual cycle.
- Interpret graphs showing changing hormone levels during the menstrual cycle.
Contraception10 objectives
- Explain that fertility can be controlled by hormonal and non-hormonal methods of contraception.
- Describe oral contraceptives as hormonal methods that contain hormones to inhibit FSH production so eggs do not mature.
- Describe injections, implants and skin patches containing progesterone as methods that inhibit egg maturation and release.
- Describe barrier methods such as condoms and diaphragms as methods that prevent sperm reaching an egg.
- Describe intrauterine devices as methods that prevent implantation of an embryo or release hormones.
- Describe spermicidal agents as chemicals that kill or disable sperm.
- Describe abstaining from intercourse when an egg may be in the oviduct as a behavioural method of contraception.
- Describe sterilisation as a surgical method of contraception.
- Explain why contraception raises personal, social, economic and environmental considerations as well as scientific issues.
- Evaluate different contraception methods using effectiveness, risk, convenience and ethical considerations.
The use of hormones to treat infertility (HT only)10 objectives
- Explain (HT only) how fertility drugs containing FSH and LH can stimulate eggs to mature.
- Describe (HT only) the stages of IVF, including giving FSH and LH, collecting eggs, fertilising eggs in a laboratory and transferring embryos into the uterus.
- Explain (HT only) why microscopy is used to monitor embryos produced by IVF.
- Describe (HT only) how one or two embryos are inserted into the mother's uterus during IVF treatment.
- Explain (HT only) why IVF can help some people with infertility have children.
- Evaluate (HT only) fertility treatment from the perspective of patients who want children.
- Evaluate (HT only) fertility treatment from the perspective of doctors and healthcare providers.
- Explain (HT only) why IVF can be emotionally and physically stressful.
- Explain (HT only) why IVF has a low success rate and can lead to multiple births.
- Discuss (HT only) ethical and social issues linked to IVF and embryo use.
Feedback systems (HT only)7 objectives
- Describe (HT only) thyroxine as a hormone from the thyroid gland that stimulates basal metabolic rate.
- Explain (HT only) that thyroxine has an important role in growth and development.
- Explain (HT only) how thyroxine levels are controlled by negative feedback.
- Describe (HT only) adrenaline as a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands in fear or stress.
- Explain (HT only) how adrenaline increases heart rate and increases oxygen and glucose delivery to the brain and muscles.
- Explain (HT only) the role of adrenaline in preparing the body for flight or fight.
- Interpret (HT only) simple feedback diagrams involving thyroxine or adrenaline.
Key terms
endocrine systemhormonestarget organsHormonal coordinationNervous coordinationpituitary glandpituitary hormonesstimulateendocrine glandschemical messengershormonal specificityPancreas
Exam tips
- Understand the Endocrine System: Remember to create a diagram of the endocrine system, labeling each gland and the hormones they secrete into the bloodstream. Link your answer to Human endocrine system in Hormonal coordination in humans, and keep the biology specific to bloodstream.
- Understand Hormonal Pathways: Remember to create a diagram that illustrates how hormones travel from glands through the bloodstream to their target organs, highlighting the effects produced. Link your answer to Human endocrine system in Hormonal coordination in humans, and keep the biology specific to hormones.
Common mistakes
- Misunderstanding the Endocrine System: Emphasize that the endocrine system consists of various glands, such as the pituitary gland, thyroid, and adrenal glands, that work together to secrete hormones into the bloodstream.
- Misunderstanding Hormone Function: Emphasize that hormones are chemical messengers that travel in the bloodstream but only produce effects on specific target organs that have the appropriate receptors.
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