Q: What does Oxytocin do?
A: Oxytocin causes smooth muscle contraction (e.g., uterine contractions at birth) and helps milk flow in the breast.
Q: What does Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) do?
A: ADH helps the body conserve water by acting on the kidneys. Alcohol can inhibit its release.
Q: What does Growth Hormone (GH) do?
A: Growth hormone causes the elongation of long bones, helping growth during puberty.
Q: What does Prolactin do?
A: Prolactin stimulates milk production in females and enhances testosterone effects in males.
Q: What does Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) do?
A: FSH stimulates egg development in females and sperm production in males.
Q: What does Luteinizing Hormone (LH) do
A: In females, LH triggers ovulation. In males, it stimulates testosterone production.
Q: What does Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) do
A: TSH stimulates the thyroid to release hormones that increase metabolism.
Q: What does Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) do
A: ACTH triggers the release of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex.
Q: What does Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH) do
A: MSH causes skin darkening after sun exposure by spreading melanin in skin cells.
Q: What does Endorphin do
A: Endorphins are the body's natural painkillers, similar to opioids.
Q: What do T3 and T4 hormones do
A: T3 and T4 regulate metabolism, with higher levels making the body more active.
Q: What does Calcitonin do
A: Calcitonin lowers calcium levels in the blood by storing excess calcium in bones.
Q: What does Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) do
A: PTH raises blood calcium levels by breaking down bone.
Q: What does Glucagon do
A: Glucagon raises blood glucose by signaling the liver to release glucose.
Q: What does Insulin do
A: Insulin lowers blood glucose by helping the liver store glucose as glycogen.
Q: What does Somatostatin do
A: Somatostatin inhibits insulin and glucagon release, keeping blood glucose stable.
Q: What does Epinephrine (Adrenaline) do
A: Epinephrine triggers the "fight or flight" response, directing blood to vital organs like the heart and brain.
Q: What does Norepinephrine do
A: Norepinephrine works with epinephrine to control the "fight or flight" response.
Q: What do Androgens (like testosterone) do
A: Androgens influence male traits like muscle mass, body hair, and voice pitch. Females also have small amounts.
Q: What do Glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisol) do
A: Glucocorticoids reduce inflammation and raise blood glucose by breaking down fats and proteins.
Q: What do Mineralocorticoids (e.g., aldosterone) do
A: Mineralocorticoids regulate kidney function, increasing sodium reabsorption and raising blood pressure.
Q: What does Testosterone do
A: Testosterone is key for sperm production and maintaining male secondary sex characteristics (e.g., body hair, deep voice).
Q: What does Progesterone do
A: Progesterone helps maintain the uterine lining during pregnancy.
Q: What does Estrogen do
A: Estrogen regulates female secondary sex characteristics like fat distribution and pelvis shape.
Q: What does Melatonin do
A: Melatonin regulates sleep cycles and day/night rhythms.
Q: What does Thymosin do
A: Thymosin stimulates T-cell development in the immune system.
Q: What is the function of the Testes
A: The testes produce sperm and testosterone.
Q: What is the function of the Epididymis
A: The epididymis is where sperm mature after being produced in the testes.
Q: What does the Vas Deferens do
A: The vas deferens transports sperm from the epididymis to the urethra.
Q: What is the function of the Prostate
A: The prostate secretes fluids that help buffer the acidity of the vagina during intercourse.
Q: What is the function of the Seminal Vesicles
A: The seminal vesicles produce fluid that nourishes sperm, including fructose and prostaglandins.
Q: What does the Urethra do
A: The urethra carries both urine and sperm out of the body.
Q: What is the function of the Ovary
A: The ovary produces eggs (ova) for reproduction.
Q: What does the Oviduct/Fallopian Tube do
A: The fallopian tube collects eggs from the ovaries and is the site of fertilization.
Q: What is the function of the Uterus
A: The uterus is where the embryo implants and develops during pregnancy.
Q: What does the Vagina do
A: The vagina provides a passage for birth and serves as the site of male ejaculation during intercourse.
Q: What is the function of the Kidney
A: The kidney filters waste from the blood to create urine.
Q: What does the Ureter do
A: The ureter transports urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder.
Q: What is the function of the Urinary Bladder
A: The urinary bladder stores urine until it is expelled from the body.
Q: What does the Urethra do in the urinary system
A: The urethra is responsible for draining urine from the body.