Biology - Human Endocrine System

Hormone

organic chemical substance

Endocrine Gland

vascular, ductless gland that secretes hormones carries in the bloodstream

Pituitary Gland (Hypophysis) = Master Gland

the chemical co-ordinator of most endocrine glands, attached to the hypothalamus

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete thyroxin

Follicle Stimulating Hormone

in females: stimulates oogenesis in the ovary

in males: stimulates spermatogenesis in the testes

Luteinizing Hormone

stimulates ovulation from the ovary and the formation of the corpus luteum

Prolactin

stimulates the production of milk in the female mammary glands after birth and maternal instinct

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)

stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete cortisone and aldosterone

Growth Hormone/ Somatotropic Hormone

promotes skeletal and muscular growth (protein synthesis)

Acromegaly

a condition where the bones of the face, hands and feet are enlarged (thickening of soft tissue)

Basal Metabolic Rate

amount of energy the body needs to keep functioning while at rest

Myxoedema

a condition of mental and physical sluggishness - low blood pressure, slow heart and respiratory rates, low body temp

Cretinism

a condition in which a child does not grow physically, has immature sexual development and is mentally retarded

Tissue fluid

fluid that surrounds body cells I

Insulin

Secreted by beta cells of the pancreas, lowers blood sugar level by making the cell membranes of the liver and muscle cells more permeable to glucose

Glucagon

Secreted by alpha cells of the pancreas, increases blood sugar level by breaking down the glycogen stored in liver cells into glucose, which enters the bloodstream

Type 1 Diabetes (insulin dependent)

Auto-immune disease that destroys insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas

Hyperglaecemia

high blood sugar level

Type 2 Diabetes (non-insulin dependent )

influenced by lifestyle

when the body produces less insulin/ not able to use the insulin correctly due to faulty insulin receptors

Aldosterone

responsible for the reabsorption of sodium ions

Osmoregulation

regulation of electrolyte levels in the blood

Cortisol

increases the body’s ability to resist stress

anti - inflammatory

Erythropoietin

regulate red blood cell formation