Endocrine System Flashcards
(15 cards)
endocrine system
the endocrine system is a chemical system of communication that instructs glands to release hormones directly into the bloodstream
these hormones are carried towards target organs in the body and help regulate many bodily functions
the endocrine and nervous system work closely together to regulate various physiological processes in the human body
Instead of using nerves (sensory and motor neurons) to transmit information, this system uses blood vessels.
glands
organs in the body that produce and secrete hormones (chemicals that circulate in the bloodstream) in order to regulate many bodily functions
the major endocrine gland is the pituitary gland, located in the brain
it is often called the master gland because it controls the release of hormones from all other endocrine glands in the body
hormones
chemicals that circulate in the bloodstream and influence target organs (or any cell in the body that has a receptor for that particular hormone) in order to regulate bodily activity
they are produced in large amounts but disappear quickly
their effects are very powerful
timing of hormone release is critical as well as levels of hormones released
too much or too little at the wrong time can result in dysfunction of bodily systems
Different hormones produce different effects (behaviours).
eg, adrenaline, melatonin
glands in endocrine system
pituitary
adrenal
pineal
testes
ovaries
thyroid
thymus
pancreas
pituitary gland
‘master gland’
influence the release of hormones from other glands
regulates many of the body’s functions
controlled by the hypothalamus
eg. releases ACTH as part of fight or flight response
adrenal gland
releases hormone adrenaline and cortisol
important part of the sympathetic division in the fight-or-flight response as it facilitates the release of adrenaline to prepare body for rapid action
eg. causes increased heart rate, sweat, blood supply to muscles
pineal gland
facilitates releases of melatonin
regulates sleep, keeps body to day/night circadian rhythm
responsible for sleep-wake cycle
testes
facilitate release of testosterone (male hormone)
reproductive gland
develop secondary sex characteristics, appearing at puberty
ovaries
facilitate release of oestrogen and progesterone (female hormones)
reproductive gland
develop secondary sex characteristics, appearing at puberty
thyroid gland
modulates metabolism (rate of energy use in body)
releases thyroxine
thymus gland
stimulates development of T cells that work in the immune system helping with disease resistance
active until puberty
releases thymosin
pancreas
regulates blood sugar levels
releases insulin and glucagon
problems with this system leads to diabetes
hypothalamus
part of the brain next to the pituitary gland
works with the pituitary gland to link the nervous system to the endocrine system
maintains homeostasis of bodily systems
eg. releases CRH (detected by pituitary gland in FoF response)
draw/label the endocrine system
X
differences between the nervous system and endocrine system
ES: chemical signals (hormones) MS: electrical impulses (action potential)
ES: slower response
NS: very fast response
ES: longer-lasting effects
NS: short-lived effects
ES: travels through blood vessels
NS: travels through neurons
