What is ACTH?

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. It is a key component of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which plays a crucial role in the body's response to stress and regulation of various physiological processes.

Function of ACTH

ACTH primarily acts on the adrenal glands, stimulating them to produce and release corticosteroid hormones, such as cortisol. Cortisol is involved in the regulation of metabolism, immune function, and response to stress. ACTH also plays a role in the regulation of blood pressure, muscle function, and the body's inflammatory response.

Regulation of ACTH

The secretion of ACTH is controlled by the hypothalamus and is influenced by various factors such as stress, time of day, and cortisol levels in the blood. The hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which in turn stimulates the pituitary gland to produce and release ACTH. ACTH then acts on the adrenal glands to regulate cortisol production.

Disorders Related to ACTH

Imbalances in ACTH levels can lead to various disorders. For example, an excess of ACTH can result in conditions such as Cushing's syndrome, characterized by weight gain, high blood pressure, and muscle weakness. On the other hand, insufficient ACTH production can lead to adrenal insufficiency, causing fatigue, weight loss, and low blood pressure.

Study Guide

Describe the role of ACTH in the body.
Explain the regulatory mechanism of ACTH secretion.
Discuss the effects of excessive and insufficient ACTH levels on the body.
Compare and contrast the functions of ACTH and cortisol.

Understanding the role and regulation of ACTH is crucial in comprehending the body's response to stress and its impact on various physiological processes.

◂Science Worksheets and Study Guides Eighth Grade. Chemical reactions

Vocabulary/Answer key

Chemical reactions

Vocabulary/Answer key

Chemical reactions

The resources above cover the following skills:

Chemistry: Students will use scientific skills and processes to explain the composition, structure, and interactions of matter in order to support the predictability of structure and energy transformations.

Conservation of Matter: Provide evidence to support the fact that the idea of atoms explains conservation of matter.

Cite evidence from investigations that the total mass of a system remains the same throughout a chemical reaction because the number of atoms of each element remains the same.

Give reasons to justify the statement, 'If the number of atoms stays the same no matter how the same atoms are rearranged, then their total mass stays the same.'

Physical and Chemical Changes: Provide evidence to support the fact that common substances have the ability to change into new substances.

Investigate and describe the occurrence of chemical reactions using the following evidence: Color change; Formation of a precipitate or gas; Release of heat or light.

Use evidence from observations to identify and describe factors that influence reaction rates: Change in temperature; Acidity.

Identify the reactants and products involved in a chemical reaction given a symbolic equation, a word equation, or a description of the reaction.

Provide data from investigations to support the fact that energy is transformed during chemical reactions.