Name: Rane Dutcher

Endocrine System Feedback Loop Analysis

(Please respond in red)

BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL

What might cause your blood sugar level to rise?
Not enough insulin in bloodstream, eating more carbohydrates, less exercise, illness or
infection, injury or surgery, pain, stress, certain medications.
If blood sugar levels rise:
What gland responds with hormone release?
Pancreas
What hormone is released?
Insulin
What are the target cells/organs for this hormone?
Liver; all other body tissues
How do the target cells/organs respond to this hormone and how does lead back to
homeostasis of blood sugar levels?
Insulin goes to the tissues and liver of the body and facilitates glucose transport into
cells. This also prevents glucose production of glycogen, fatty acids, and amino acids.
Glucose regulates blood sugar in the body, so when it has an easier flow, the body slowly
decreases the amount of sugar in your body.
What might cause your blood sugar level to drop?
Too much insulin in bloodstream, eating less (Skipping Meals), and exercising more.
If blood sugar levels fall:
What gland responds with hormone release?
Adrenal Glands
What hormone is released?
Cortisol (hydrocortisone)

What are the target cells/organs for this hormone?

Liver, muscles/bones
How do the target cells/organs respond to this hormone and how does lead back to
homeostasis of blood sugar levels?
Cortisol stimulates the making of glucose in the liver, and breaks down the glycogen in
the liver and muscle. Cortisol also prevents insulin from shuttling glucose into cells, so
you get quite a bit of glucose floating in your bloodstream. Cortisol also interferes with
the T-Cell function and production, making your body easier to infect with pathogens.
When cortisol levels are high, there is no muscle or bone growth.

KIDNEY CONTROL - BLOOD WATER LEVEL

What might cause your blood water level to drop?
Less intake of water, medical conditions, severe excretion of fluid, sweating, excrements
including urine
If blood water levels fall:
What structure detects the drop in blood water level?
A part of the brain detects the drop in water level; the hypothalamus.
What gland is directed to release a hormone?
The pituitary gland
What hormone is released?
ADH (anti-diuretic hormone)
What are the target cells/organs for this hormone?
Kidneys; tubules
How do the target cells/organs respond to this hormone and how does lead back to
homeostasis of blood waterlevels?

The tubules of the kidney are affected, and they are changed so more water can be
reabsorbed into the blood. This makes your urine more concentrated and a smaller
amount. Water is being reabsorbed until the body reaches homeostasis.
What other message is sent, after low blood water levels are detected, that will help
raise your blood water level?
The thirst message is sent to the brain, telling it that the body needs water. This will
make the person want to drink something, which then raises the water content in the
persons body.
What might cause your blood water level to rise?
Drinking lots of fluids, not sweating or losing any water, medical conditions that keep the
body from removing any water or urinating.
What chain of events will occur to correct this deviation from the homeostatic set point
of blood water levels?
The hypothalamus is signaled that the blood water levels are too high, and it then signals
the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland stops the production of antidiuretic hormones,
making the kidneys stop the reabsorption of water into the bloodstream. The cells in the
body become overhydrated and burst, increasing the blood concentration. This
ultimately causes the blood water levels to meet its homeostatic set point.