Topic 10: Hormones and Homeostasis IB topic(s): 6.6.

D.1 and D.5

Essential Idea(s): Hormones are used when signals need to be widely
distributed to maintain homeostasis.

Topic Statement(s) and Objective(s)

Endocrine D.5.U1: Endocrine glands secrete hormones directly

system into the bloodstream (Oxford Biology Course Companion page
694).
State the function of endocrine glands.
State the function of hormones.

D.5.U7: Hormones secreted by the pituitary control

growth, developmental changes, reproduction and
homeostasis (Oxford Biology Course Companion page 697).
Outline the role of the hypothalamus as a link between
nervous and endocrine systems.
List hormones secreted by the anterior and posterior
pituitary.

D.5.U6: The hypothalamus controls hormone secretion

by the anterior and posterior lobes of the pituitary
gland (Oxford Biology Course Companion page 697).
Draw a diagram to illustrate the relationship between
the hypothalamus and pituitary.
Describe how releasing factors regulate anterior
pituitary action.
Describe how neurosecretory cells carry hormones to
the posterior pituitary.
Outline how negative feedback is involved in the
secretion of ADH from the posterior pituitary.

Hormone D.5.U2: Steroid hormones bind to receptor proteins in

action the cytoplasm of the target cell to form a receptor
hormone complex (Oxford Biology Course Companion page
695).
Describe the mechanism of steroid hormone action.
List two example steroid hormones.

D.5.U3: The receptorhormone complex promotes the

transcription of specific genes (Oxford Biology Course
Companion page 696).
List locations at which a steroid hormone binds its
receptor.
Outline one example of a steroid hormone promoting
transcription of specific genes.

D.5.U4: Peptide hormones bind to receptors in the

plasma membrane of the target cell (Oxford Biology Course
Companion page 696).
State the location at which a protein hormone binds its

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 receptor.
List two example protein hormones.
Define second messenger system.

D.5.U5: Binding of hormones to membrane receptors

activates a cascade mediated by a second messenger
inside the cell (Oxford Biology Course Companion page 696).
List the two most common second messengers.
Describe the mechanism of epinephrine action.

Glucose 6.6.U1: Insulin and glucagon are secreted by beta and

homeostas alpha cells of the pancreas respectively to control blood
is glucose concentrations (Oxford Biology Course Companion
page 329).
Explain the control of blood glucose concentration, including
the roles of glucagon, insulin and the alpha and beta cells in
the pancreatic islets.

6.6.A1: Causes and treatment of Type I and Type II

diabetes (Oxford Biology Course Companion page 330).
Distinguish between causes of type I and type II diabetes.
Distinguish between treatment of type I and type II diabetes.

D.1.U8: Overweight individuals are more likely to suffer

hypertension and type II diabetes (Oxford Biology Course
Companion page 664).
Outline the causes of the two type of diabetes mellitus.
List risk factors associated with type II diabetes.
State symptoms of type II diabetes.
List cardiovascular effects of type II diabetes.

Metabolic 6.6.U2: Thyroxin is secreted by the thyroid gland to

homeostas regulate the metabolic rate and help control body
is temperature (Oxford Biology Course Companion page 331).
Describe the structure and function of thyroxin.
Outline thyroxins role in body temperature regulation.
List symptoms of thyroxin deficiency.

D.5.NOS: Cooperation and collaboration between groups

of scientiststhe International Council for the Control
of Iodine Deficiency Disorders includes a number of
scientists who work to eliminate the harm done by iodine
deficiency (Oxford Biology Course Companion page 695).
Outline consequences of iodine deficiency.
State the goal of the ICCIDD.

Appetite D.1.U7: Appetite is controlled by a centre in the

control hypothalamus (Oxford Biology Course Companion page 664).

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 Describe how hormones and the appetite control
center regulate a desire to eat.

6.6.U3: Leptin is secreted by cells in adipose tissue and

acts on the hypothalamus of the brain to inhibit appetite
(Oxford Biology Course Companion page 332).
State that leptin is a protein hormone.
Outline the mechanism of action of leptin.
Describe the role and discovery of the ob allele in
obese mice.

6.6.A2: Testing of leptin on patients with clinical obesity

and reasons for the failure to control the disease (Oxford
Biology Course Companion page 332).
Explain the double blind study that tested the effect of leptin
treatment on human obesity.
Outline role of leptin resistance in human obesity.

Circadian 6.6.U4: Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland to

rhythm control circadian rhythms (Oxford Biology Course Companion
page 333).
Define circadian rhythm.
Describe the secretion and action of melatonin.
Outline the mechanism that regulates melatonin secretion in
response to the day-night cycle.

6.6.A3: Causes of jet lag and use of melatonin to alleviate

it (Oxford Biology Course Companion page 334).
State symptoms of jet lag.
Outline the biological cause of jet lag.
Describe use of melatonin in treatment for jet lag.

Growth D.5.A1: Some athletes take growth hormones to build

muscles (Oxford Biology Course Companion page 699).
State that growth hormone is a peptide hormone.
Outline the mechanism of action of growth hormone.
Evaluate the use of growth hormones by athletes.