B11

Question 1

What are hormones

Answer 1

Hormones are chemicals released by glands. They’re released directly into the blood

Question 2

How do hormones send chemical messages to the blood

Answer 2

These glands are called endocrine glands. They make up your endocrine system
Hormones are carried in the blood to other parts of the body
They can only affect particular cells in particular organs (called target organs)

Question 3

What are the main glands in the body

Answer 3

The pituitary gland 
Ovaries 
Testes 
Thyroid 
Adrenal gland 
The pancreas

Question 4

What is the pituitary gland

Answer 4

It is sometimes called the ‘master gland’
This is because it produces many hormones that regulate body conditions
These hormones act on other glands. They make the glands release hormones that bring about change

Question 5

What are the ovaries

Answer 5

They produce oestrogen

They are involved in the menstrual cycle

Question 6

Testes

Answer 6

Produce testosterone

This controls puberty and sperm production in males

Question 7

Thyroid

Answer 7

Produces thyroxine

This is involved on regulating things like the rate of metabolism, heart rate and temperature

Question 8

Adrenal gland

Answer 8

Produces adrenaline

This is used to prepare the body for a ‘fight or flight’ response

Question 9

The pancreas

Answer 9

Produces insulin

This is used to regulate the blood glucose level

Question 10

Hormones and nerves have differences

Answer 10

The nerves
Very fast action
Act for a very short time
Act on a very precise area

Hormones
Slower action
Act for a long time
Act in a more general way

Question 11

How does insulin reduce the blood glucose level

Answer 11

Eating carbohydrates puts glucose (a type of sugar) into the blood
Glucose is removed from the blood be cells (which use it for energy)
When you exercise, a lot more glucose is removed from the blood