B11.1 Principles of hormonal control Flashcards
What is the endocrine system?
Made up of glands that secrete chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream
What is a hormone?
A chemical messenger that travels through the bloodstream to a target organ to produce an effect
How does the endocrine system work?
Blood carries the hormone to its target organ where it produces an effect.
Target organ has receptors on the cell membrane that pick up the hormone molecules triggering a response
What does insulin do?
Control blood glucose levels
What is the purpose of adrenaline?
Which prepares your body for flight or flight under stressful conditions
What are some examples of long term slow-acting hormones?
Growth hormones and sex hormones
What is the pituitary gland?
The master gland - secretes variety of different hormones into the blood in response to changes in body conditions
What is ADH?
Controls the amount of urine produced by the kidney
What is the FSH (Follicle stimulating hormone) ?
Stimulates the ovaries to make the female sex hormone oestrogen
What is TSH?
Stimulates the thyroid gland to make thyroxine - controls the rate of your metabolism
What is the purpose of the Pituitary gland?
Controls growth in children
Stimulates thyroid gland to make thyroxine
In women: stimulates ovaries to produce and release eggs and make the oestrogen
In men - stimulates the testes to make sperm and the males sex hormone testerone
What is the purpose of the Pancreas?
Controls the levels of glucose in the blood
What is the purpose of the Adrenal gland?
Prepares the body for a stressful situation by secreting adrenal
What is the purpose of the Ovaries?
Controls development of the female menstrual cycle
What is the purpose of the Testes?
Involved in the production of sperm
