H Anatomy & Physiology: The Endocrine System

Hormones

Chemical messenger that travels through the blood.

Target Cells

Destination of specific hormones.

Negative Feedback Mechanisms

Any mechanism that decreases the original stimulus.

Humoral

Changing levels of nutrients or ions in the blood.

Exocrine Glands

Secretes products on either surface of skin or chamber not in the blood.

Endocrine Glands

Secretes products into the blood.

Tropic Hormones

Hormones that stimulate other glands to release other hormones.

Releasing/Inhibiting Hormones

Released by the hypothalamus to stimulate the anterior pituitary gland.

Endocrine System

System that produces hormones to control the body.

Corpus Luteum

Hormones producing gland in pregnant women.

Steroid Hormones

Hormones made of cholesterol.

Amino Acid Hormones

Hormones made of proteins.

2nd Messengers

Carry out instructions from non-steroid hormones to the nucleus of the cell.

Pancreatic Islets

Hormone producing cells of the pancreas.

Cortisone

Long term stress hormone released by adrenal cortex.

Prostaglandins

Hormones made of highly active hormones.