MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach) The Endocrine System
Apr 10, 2025
Dive into the intricate world of hormones and the endocrine system! Discover the differences between peptide, steroid, and lipid-derived hormones. Learn how the hypothalamus links our nervous and endocrine systems. Unpack key functions of glands like the pituitary and thyroid, including their roles in conditions like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and hypogonadism. Get insights on hormone action mechanisms and the body’s fight against autoimmune disorders. It's a fascinating journey through the body’s chemical messengers!
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Four Modes Of Cell Communication
- Cells communicate in four main ways: autocrine, juxtacrine, paracrine, and endocrine signaling.
- Endocrine signaling uses hormones traveling in blood to act on distant targets across the body.
Tumor Exosomes Drive Self-Signaling
- Sam describes tumor-derived exosomes acting as autocrine signals that reinforce a tumor phenotype.
- Those exosomes carry molecular messages back to the same tumor cell and create a positive feedback loop.
Why Peptide Hormones Act Fast
- Peptide and protein hormones are water-soluble, dissolve in blood, and bind cell-surface receptors.
- Surface binding triggers signal transduction cascades with amplification for fast, strong responses.