2.10.11 The Endocrine System Flashcards
Information is sent through the endocrine (hormonal) system as chemical substances, are known as what?
known as hormones
How are hormones carried around?
Hormones are carried by the blood and can therefore circulate around the whole body
What are hormones
Hormones transmit information from one part of the organism to another and bring about a change (they provide a signal that triggers a response)
- They alter the activity of one or more specific target organs
Hormones are used to control functions that, what?
do not need instant responses
Compared to the nervous system, the effects of hormones are, what?
the effects of hormones are slower but they act for longer
How are hormones produced
Hormones are produced by endocrine glands
The endocrine glands that produce hormones in animals are known collectively as the, what?
endocrine system
Important structures in the endocrine system are, what?
Pituitary gland
Thyroid
Pancreas
Adrenal glands
Testes
Ovaries
What does the Testes produce
testosterone
What does the Adrenal glands produce
adrenaline
What does the ovaries produce
oestrogen
What does the Pancreas produce
insulin, which regulates blood glucose levels
What does the Thyroid produce
produces thyroxine, which controls metabolic rates and affects growth
What does the Pituitary Gland produce
hormones such as FSH and LH
Exam Tip
Make sure you can recognise and recall all the structures shown in the diagram above. Although you will not be expected to recall the thyroid gland and the role of thyroxine in the body, this endocrine gland may be referred to in an exam question that asks more generally about the endocrine system or hormones, so it is worth being aware of
