Endocrine Glands AP Bio

thyroid gland hormone

thyroxin -controls rate at which body metabolizes glucose

thyroid function

regulate body’s metabolism

thyroid target cells

almost every cell in the body (brain, heart, bones, etc)

parathyroid function

control body’s calcium levels

parathyroid hormone

PTH - raises blood calcium levels

parathyroid target cells

bone, kidneys, heart, smooth muscles

hypothalamus function

initiates an endocrine response received from NS

hypothalamus hormone

releasing hormones - stimulates pituitary gland to release hormones (CRH, GHRH, etc)

hypothalamus target cells

cells of pituitary gland

pituitary function

“master gland”, regulates bodily functions

pituitary hormones

anterior lobe: prolactin-milk production

posterior lobe: oxytocin-regulates milk secretion and contraction of uterus

pituitary target cells

many different glands and organs throughout the body

pineal function

regulate circadian rhythm

pineal hormone

melatonin - released in periods of darkness (reduces nerve function by binding to receptors)

pineal target cells

hypothalamus and pituitary cells

testis hormone

androgen - sperm production and male sex characteristics

testosterone - regulate fertility

ovaries hormone

estrogen - female sex characteristics

progesterone - supports pregnancy

pancreas function

regulates blood sugar

pancreas hormone

insulin - decreases blood sugar

glucagon - increases blood sugar

pancreas target cells

cells in liver, muscles, & adipose tissue

thymus function

produces lymphocytes & aids in producing immunity

thymus hormone

thymosin - stimulate production of T cells