Endocrine System Flashcards
(11 cards)
What is the endocrine system?
A system of glands that produce and release hormones to regulate body function
What messages are sent and transported through the circulatory system?
Chemical messages are transported to the circulatory system to target organs or tissues to bring about a specific response
Like nerve signals, hormones carry messages around the body. How are hormone and nerve signals different?
Hormones are slower and have long lasting effects where as nerve signals are fast with short lived effects
Describe the role of hormones in the body.
Hormones help control important body processes like growth, entergy use and mood by sending messages to different parts of the body.
Explain why all endocrine glands have blood vessels coming through them.
Endocrine gods have blood vessels coming through them because they need to travel through the blood in order to reach other parts of the body.
What are hormone receptors?
Hormone repeaters are special proteins found on or inside target cells that reconcile the bind to specific hormones. They act like a lock and the hormone is the “key”. Only cells with the right receptor will respond to the hormone.
What gland is known as the “master gland” and why?
The pituitary gland.
It is located at the base of the brain and controls other glands and releases hormones.
Where and what is the thyroid gland?
Located in the neck. Produces thyroxine which controls metabolism (the chemical reaction in the bodies cells that change food into energy)
What is the pancreas and where is it?
Located behind the stomach. Produces insulin to help control blood sugar levels.
What are some other glands?
Parathyroid (four small glands behind the thyroid which control calcium levels in blood)
Adrenal (sit on top of kidneys, produce adrenaline)
Ovaries and testes (control female and make reproductive functions)
What is the pineal gland?
Produces melatonin that controls body rhythms such as walking and sleeping
