Endocrine System - Term 1 Y9 Flashcards
What is the Endocrine system?
A communication system that controls the internal environment of the body.
What does the Pituitary Gland do?
Also known as the master gland, it releases growth hormones, affects reproductive organs, acts on kidney cells and controls other endocrine glands.
What does the Thyroid Gland do?
Hormones that influence mental and physical growth
What does the pancreas do?
Insulin – which lowers the level of glucose in the blood.
Glucagon – which raises the level of glucose in the blood.
What does the Parathyroid Gland do?
Hormone that raises calcium levels
What does the Adrenal Gland do?
Adrenaline: raises blood pressure, heartbeat, and breathing rate in readiness for activity
What do the Ovaries do?
Controls the uterus, growth of body hair, fat cells and growth of breasts.
What do the Testes do?
Control growth of facial and body hair, and muscular growth
What are the hormone’s functions?
Level of glucose in the blood, water levels in the body, glucose breakdown in cells, heat production, sexual maturity, sperm/egg production, growth of cells and tissue.
What are the types of hormones?
Fast-acting: Adrenaline is a hormone that rapidly speeds up the heart and breathing rates when we get a fright.
Slow-acting: Human Growth Hormone regulates the many body processes involved in growing from conception to death.
What are hormones?
A chemical substance that helps to regulate processes in the body.
What do the target cells do?
Travel all around your body but only act on particular target cells.
Target cells: only respond to their particular hormones and are “blind” to all others.
Hormones have a specific shape that fits chemically into a receptor on the target cell: like a jigsaw puzzle.
Nervous System vs Endocrine System
- The nervous system and endocrine system are both involved in response and control (Homeostasis)
- Transmission through the nervous system is very fast.
- Circulation of hormones takes time: mins/hrs/days.
