Endocrine

Endocrine System

Collection of glands and cells that produce hormones.

Hormone

Chemical messenger that travels in the bloodstream to a target cell.

Amino acid-based hormones

Hydrophilic hormones that bind to extracellular receptors and use second messenger systems.

Steroid hormones

Hydrophobic hormones that bind to intracellular receptors and trigger protein synthesis.

Hormonal release types

Neural, hormonal, and humoral.

Neural hormonal release

Triggered by the nervous system.

Hormonal regulation

Triggered by other hormones.

Humoral regulation

Triggered by blood chemistry changes.

Negative feedback

A regulation mechanism that maintains hormone levels within a normal range.

Hormone elimination methods

Excretion, metabolism, and active transport.

Hypothalamus function

Releases inhibiting/releasing hormones to control the pituitary gland.

Pituitary Gland

Gland with an anterior part producing hormones and a posterior part storing/releasing ADH and oxytocin.

Anterior pituitary hormones

TSH, ACTH, FSH, LH, GH, PRL.

Posterior pituitary hormones

Stores/releases ADH and oxytocin.

Thyroid hormone function

Increases metabolism.

Calcitonin function

Lowers blood calcium levels.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) function

Raises blood calcium levels.

Insulin function

Lowers blood glucose levels.

Glucagon function

Raises blood glucose levels.

Adrenal Cortex hormones

Aldosterone and cortisol.

Adrenal Medulla hormone

Epinephrine.

Pineal gland hormone

Melatonin, which regulates sleep.

Testes hormone

Testosterone.

Ovaries hormones

Estrogen and progesterone.