Biopsychology: Lesson 4 - Endocrine System

Question 1

What is the endocrine system?

Answer 1

A system of glands that provide a chemical system of communication in the body via the blood stream
Endocrine glands produce and secrete hormones into the bloodstream which are required to regulate many bodily functions
Each gland produces different hormones which regulate activity of organs/tissues
E.g. adrenal glands which release adrenaline and cortisol

Question 2

What are target cells?

Answer 2

The cells that respond to a particular hormone
Hormones come into contact with most cells in the body but only affect the target cells which have the receptors for that hormone
When enough receptor sites are stimulated by that hormone there is a physiological reaction

Question 3

The pituitary gland

Answer 3

• located in the brain
• produces hormones that stimulates other glands to secrete hormones
• controlled by the hypothalamus

Question 4

The hypothalamus

Answer 4

• located in the brain just above the pituitary gland
• receives information from many sources about the basic functions of the body
• then sends a signal to the pituitary gland in the form of a releasing hormone which causes the pituitary gland to send a stimulating hormone into the bloodstream to the target gland to release its hormone
• as levels of the hormone rise in the bloodstream the hypothalamus shuts down secretin of the stimulating hormone