Biopsychology - 2) The Endocrine System Flashcards
What is the endocrine system separate from?
The nervous system
What does the endocrine system work alongside? To do what?
The nervous system to control vital functions in the body
How does the endocrine system work?
Slower than the nervous system but has very widespread and powerful effects
What does the endocrine system use blood vessels to do?
Deliver hormones to their vital target sites in the body
What does the endocrine system instruct glands to release?
To release hormones into the bloodstream via blood vessels
What are hormones?
Chemicals that circulate in the bloodstream and are carried to target sites throughout the body
What are target cells?
The limited number of cells that a given hormones usually effects
What has there got to be for particular hormones?
Particular receptors
When does a physiological reaction in the target cell occur?
When enough receptor sites are stimulated
What is critical for normal functioning?
Timing of hormone release as well as the levels of hormones released
When does dysfunction of bodily systems occur?
If too much or too little hormones are released at the wrong time
What is the main function of the endocrine system?
To maintain homeostasis in our body by keeping it constant
Examples of how the endocrine system works
If we get too hot, we sweat. If we get too cold, we shiver in order to maintain our core temperature
What does feedback regulate?
The levels of hormones we have
Function of pituitary gland
Hormones released important for regulating endocrine system, stimulating ovaries, testes, sperm and the uterus
