Study Notes: Hole's Human Anatomy & Physiology - Chapter 13 Endocrine System

Endocrine System

A communication network that uses hormones to regulate physiological processes.

Hormones

Chemical messengers secreted by glands, traveling through the bloodstream to target cells.

Hypothalamus

Brain structure that serves as the master controller of the pituitary gland.

Pituitary Gland

Located below the hypothalamus, responsible for releasing various hormones.

Thyroid Gland

Gland located in the neck that produces hormones that regulate metabolism.

Steroid Hormones

Hormones derived from cholesterol that can easily pass through cell membranes.

Nonsteroid Hormones

Hormones that cannot pass through cell membranes and require signal transduction.

Signal Transduction

The process by which nonsteroid hormones communicate with target cells.

Negative Feedback

Regulatory mechanism in which a system responds in the opposite direction to a change.

Adrenal Gland

Gland located on top of each kidney, responsible for producing hormones like cortisol.

Pancreas

Organ with both endocrine and exocrine functions, regulating blood glucose levels.

Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

Hormone that increases blood calcium levels by acting on bones, kidneys, and intestines.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

A three-stage response to stress: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Oxytocin

Hormone that stimulates milk let-down and uterine contractions during childbirth.

Growth Hormone (GH)

Hormone that promotes growth and metabolism in bone and muscle.