Common Hormone Axes

MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach)

MedSchoolCoach

Science

4.6 • 612 Ratings

🗓️ 22 April 2025

⏱️ 38 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode, we'll explore three crucial hormone axes: the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAAS) system. We'll decode the complex interplays among the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and various peripheral organs, focusing on how these hormone systems regulate everything from stress responses and reproductive functions to blood pressure and fluid balance.

We'll break down the HPA axis and its pivotal role in stress response, featuring hormones like corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and cortisol. Next, we’ll navigate through the HPG axis to understand the hormonal orchestration behind testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone production. Lastly, we’ll zero in on the RAAS system, demystifying its essential function in blood pressure regulation and electrolyte balance.

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Jump into the conversation:

[00:00] Introduction to the MCAT Basics Podcast with host, Sam Smith

[03:11] Hypothalamus: brain section, regulates hormones, monkey bread.

[08:57] Hypothalamus releases hormones to stimulate pituitary gland.

[12:12] Cortisol is a crucial stress response hormone.

[13:12] Steroid hormones need carrier proteins for transport.

[17:05] Hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis involves important structures.

[21:01] Hypothalamus releases gonadotropin hormone for sex development.

[27:14] Sex hormones regulate important body functions through feedback.

[28:31] Juxtaglomerial cells respond to changes in blood pressure.

[33:20] Angiotensin III and IV stimulate aldosterone release.

[35:36] Renin angiotensin system increases sodium, blood pressure.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to MCAT Basics, your ultimate guide to the essential topics you need to master for the MCAT,
0:06.2	brought to you by the physicians at med school coach. Every week, Sam Smith breaks down high-yield
0:11.5	MCAT topics, ensuring you're primed for success on test day. Join Sam as we explore the most
0:17.2	crucial subjects outlined by the AAMC pulled from official practice materials
0:21.6	and third-party resources. Get ready to elevate your MCAT game with topics tailored to
0:26.3	maximize your score potential. Hello, I'm Sam Smith. This podcast covers three common
0:33.8	hormone axes. I will talk about the hypothalmic pituitary adrenal axis or the HPA axis.
0:40.3	I'll talk about the hypothalic pituitary gonadal axis or the HPG axis. And lastly, I'll talk about
0:46.7	the renin angiotensin aldosterone system. And if you want to hear about one of these in particular,
0:52.3	you can just take a look at the show notes. I have all the timeamps for these different axes on them, so you can kind of skip ahead and listen to whatever part you want.
1:00.0	And this material is going to show up on one of the four MCAT sections.
1:03.2	That's the BioBiochem section.
1:05.7	In addition to learning about these different axes, I hope that this is a somewhat helpful review of the endocrine
1:12.1	system. And overall, I hope you find this podcast helpful.
1:20.8	The first thing you're probably wondering here is what is a hormone axis? And it's a little bit
1:26.2	harder to define what a hormone axis is,
1:28.8	but essentially it's a set of hormones and organs that influence each other
1:32.7	through a complex set of interactions.
1:35.2	Basically, a system of hormones and organs that work together to accomplish some task.
1:40.4	As I said in the intro, I'm going to talk about three different axes.
1:44.2	I'm going to talk about the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis, the hypothalamic
1:49.6	pituitary gonadal axis, and then the renin angiotensin aldostron system.
	...

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