hormones and the endocrine system

what is the role of the endocrine system

the endocrine system controls and coordinates body processes using hormones.

it regulates: growth, metabolism, reproduction, stress responses, etc

name at least three areas that the endocrine system regulates

growth and development, metabolism, sexual development, blood sugar, stress response

what is an endocrine gland? what does it secrete

organ that produces and releases hormones directly into the bloodstream

e.g. pituitary, thyroid, pancreas, adrenal glands

what is a hormone? how does it travel in the body

chemical messenger made by endocrine glands

travels through the bloodstream to target cells

how do hormones recognise which cells are their target cells

target cells have specific receptors that match the hormone. only cells with the correct receptor respond

what is meant by the term target cell/organ

the cell or tissue that a hormone acts on

what controls the release of hormones and give examples

hormone release is controlled by internal and external stimuli
external: sound/stress —> adrenaline

internal: blood glucose —> insulin/glucagon

what is the role of the hypothalamus and where do you find it

part of the brain that monitors internal conditions (temperature, pH, water)

it sends signals to the pituitary gland to release hormones

it links the nervous system and endocrine system

why is the pituitary known as the master gland

because it controls other endocrine glands by releasing hormones that tell them when to release their hormones

e.g. growth hormone, ovaries, hormones that contain thyroid

pituitary gland and where it comes from

gland —> hormone —> what it does

growth hormone (GH) —> growth of bones and tissues

thyroid gland and where it comes from

gland —> hormone —> what it does

thyroxine —> controls metabolism

adrenal glands and where it comes from

gland —> hormone —> what it does

adrenaline —> fight or flight

pancreas and where it comes from

gland —> hormone —> what it does

insulin —> lowers blood glucose

glucagon —> raises blood glucose

ovaries and where it comes from

gland —> hormone —> what it does

oestrogen —> female development

testes and where it comes from

gland —> hormone —> what it does

testosterone —> male development

pineal gland and where it comes from

melatonin —> sleep cylce