The Endocrine System Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is the endocrine system?
Collection of glands around the body that regulate bodily functions, growth and psychological factors
Acts by releasing chemical messengers (hormones) into the bloodstream
What is the pituitary gland?
Known as the Master gland
Controls release of hormones from other glands
What hormone does the pituitary gland release?
ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone)
What is the hypothalamus?
Links the nervous system to the endocrine system in combination with pituitary
Maintains homeostasis of bodily systems
What hormone does the hypothalamus release?
CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone)
What is the pineal gland?
Modulates sleep pattern, keeping the body to a day/night circadian rhythm
What hormone does the pineal gland release?
Melatonin
What is the thyroid gland?
Modulates metabolism (rate of energy use in the body)
What hormone is released from the thyroid gland?
Thyroxine
What is the thymus gland?
Stimulates the development of T cells that work in the immune system helping with disease resistance, active until puberty
What hormone does the thymus gland release?
Thymosin
What is the pancreas gland?
Regulates blood sugar levels, problems with this leads to diabetes
What 2 hormones does the pancreas gland release?
Insulin and Glucagon
What are the adrenal glands?
Regulates biological effects of the fight of flight response, increasing heart rate, bloody supply to muscles and sweating ect.
What 2 hormones do the adrenal glands produce?
Adrenaline and cortisol
What do the ovaries/testes do?
Reproductive glands
Develops secondary sexual characteristics in both males and females, appearing at puberty
What hormone does the ovary produce and what hormone does the testes produce?
Ov: Oestrogen
Te: Testosterone
