Pineal Gland

Alyson Yun, David Seco, Brianna McCarthy, Jack Kahvejian

Period 1

Pineal Gland

The Pineal Gland is a small endocrine Gland

It is located in the vertebrate brain

Hormones Associated With the Pineal Gland

Melatonin Regulates other hormones Maintains the Circadian Rhythm

This is your body’s 24hr clock that regulates when you wake up and go to sleep

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Hormones con’t

Serotonin 80-90% is found in your gastrointestinal tract

It affects: Mood/ social behavior Appetite/ digestion Sleep Memory Sexual desire/ function

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Depression and

Anxiety

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, meaning it helps neurons send information to each other.

It signals brain cells that an individual feels relaxed and happy or sad and depressed.

Low levels of serotonin often lead to depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, insomnia, and addiction.

Some causes could come from being alone or being mistreated by their parents or other people.

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Symptoms

Persistent sad or in an "empty" mood Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness

Seasonal Affective Disorder

(SAD)

SAD is a melatonin deficiency disorder, low levels of melatonin can results in anxiety, stress and seasonal affective disorder

Abnormalities with melatonin have been quickly linked to a variety of mood and disorders

Some causes for the changes are the different types of seasons, this also plays a role in sleep patterns

Some symptoms are insomnia, feeling depressed, low energy, suicidal thoughts

The Pancreas Gland

Brianna McCarthy, Jack Kahvejian, David Seco, Alyson Yun

Period 1 Anatomy

The Pancreas

Gland

The pancreas gland is located behind your stomach

It is 6 inches long The pancreas is an exocrine gland as well as an endocrine

Insulin

Insulin helps control blood glucose levels

This happens by signaling the liver, muscle, and fat cells to take in glucose from the blood

Insulin helps cells to take in glucose to be used for energy

If the body has enough energy, insulin signals the liver to take up glucose and store it as glycogen

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Glucagon

The pancreas releases glucagon when concentration of glucose in the bloodstream falls too low

Glucagon causes the liver to convert stored glycogen into glucose, which is released into the bloodstream

High blood glucose levels stimulate the release of insulin

Glucagon and Insulin are interdependent

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Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that affects how your body uses blood sugar (glucose)

Glucose is a vital to your health because it supplies the cells with energy

Diabetes means you have too much glucose in your blood

The pancreas doesn’t always produce enough insulin, which results in type 2 diabetes

Some possible causes of diabetes are genetic risk factors and environmental factors

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Symptoms

Excessive thirst

Increased urination

Fatigue

Weight loss

Blurred vision

Swollen gums

Tingling hands and feet

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is when your level of blood sugar gets too low

The body doesn’t have enough energy to use as fuel

Some causes of hypoglycemia are your diet, some medication conditions, and exercise

Some symptoms are confusion, dizziness, feeling shaky, and hunger

Fun Facts

Baking Soda is produced by the pancreas, since one of its unique functions is it creates bicarbonate, which is basically standard baking soda

It has its own version of taste buds similar to what the tongue has. The receptors “taste” how sweet the food that is being eaten is and will release the appropriate amount of insulin as a result

Up until 1902, people thought it was the brain and not the pancreas that released substances

When you sleep or die, your pineal gland releases a drug called DMT, which is an illegal hallucinogenic that is naturally produced by the body. Some researchers believe that accounts of people dying and "going to heaven" are caused by the release of DMT

Concept Check

Questions

1. How might seasonal depression and melatonin levels be related to each other?

In humans, low levels of melatonin contributes to feelings of depression. This explains why people tend to feel unhappy during seasons when daylight is scarce due to cloudy skies or shorter winter days.

2. How does glucagon affect the body's metabolism? Glucagon has the opposite role as insulin, and

encourages the metabolism of fats as a way pf preserving existing glucose until blood sugar levels return to normal.

3.) What is the role of the insulin receptor? When it is activated by insulin, the insulin receptor

causes an increase in glucose absorption by all body cells.

Bibliography

Hendrickson, Kirstin. "Diseases Associated with Serotonin." Live Strong. N.p., 2 Sept. 2010. Web. 13 Mar. 2015. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/220756- diseases-associated-with-serotonin/>.

Mayo Clinic Staff. "Diseases and Conditions Diabetes." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Staff, 31 July 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2015. <http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/basics/definition/con-20033091>.

Shmaefsky, Brian. Applied Anatomy & Physiology: A Case Study Approach. St. Paul, MN: EMC/Paradigm, 2007. Print.