The Endocrine System

Question 1

What’s the function of the endocrine system?

Answer 1

• works alongside the nervous system to regulate vital bodily processes
• slower than the nervous system
• uses bloodstream instead of neurons
• has a series of glands which secrete hormones (chemical messengers) into our bloodstream
• imbalance in hormones could lead to dysfunction

Question 2

What’s the function of the pituitary gland?

Answer 2

• master gland
• controls the release of hormones from all other glands in the body
• releases ACTH (triggers cortisol release)
• located at the base of the brain near the hypothalamus

Question 3

What’s the function of the adrenal gland?

Answer 3

• important aspect of fight or flight
• located above the kidneys
• made up of adrenal medulla (inner) and adrenal cortex (outer)
• adrenal medulla releases adrenaline
• adrenal cortex releases cortisol

Question 4

What’s the function of the testes?

Answer 4

• release testosterone (male hormone)
• testosterone associated with aggression

Question 5

What’s the function of ovaries?

Answer 5

• release oestrogen and progesterone (female hormones)
• both associated with menstruation

Question 6

What’s the function of the thyroid?

Answer 6

• secretes thyroxine
• this increases heart rate, increases metabolic rates, and affects growth rates

Question 7

What’s fight or flight?

Answer 7

• automatic reflex response to stress
• helps the individual to manage the threat quickly
• endocrine system and autonomic nervous system work in parallel
• fight or flight generated from the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system

Question 8

What’s the process of fight or flight?

Answer 8

1. a stressor is perceived
2. hypothalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)
3. ANS changes from parasympathetic state to sympathetic state and sends signal to adrenal medulla
4. adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla into the bloodstream
5. adrenaline triggers physiological changes in the body
6. once the threat has passed, body returns to parasympathetic state which reverses these changes and returns the body to homeostasis

Question 9

What are the physiological changes caused by adrenaline?

Answer 9

• faster breathing rate to increase oxygen intake
• increased heart rate to speed up blood flow and spread adrenaline
• muscle tension to improve reaction time and speed
• pupil dilation to improve vision
• sweat production to regulate temperature
• reduced digestion to save energy

Question 10

What does cortisol do?

Answer 10

• helps maintain blood sugars
• suppresses immune system

Question 11

What’s the slow fight or flight process?

Answer 11

• pituitary gland releases ACTH which triggers the release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex
• more gradual and long-term