Endocrine system Flashcards
Which system works along with the nervous system?
The endocrine system.
What does the endocrine system do?
Controls vital functions in the body.
How fast does the endocrine system work?
Much more slowly than the nervous system but has very widespread and powerful effects.
Gland.
An organ in the body that synthesis substances such as hormones.
Hormones.
Chemical substances that circulate in the bloodstream and only affect target organs. Produced in large quantities but disappear quickly. Very powerful effects.
Main endocrine gland.
Pituitary (master) gland, located in the brain.
Controls the release of hormones from all other endocrine glands in the body.
Flight or flight response.
The way an animal responds when stressed; the body becomes physiologically aroused in readiness to fight an aggressor or, in some cases, flee.
What happens when a stressor is perceived?
A part of the hypothalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the ANS.
The ANS changes from…
its resting state (parasympathetic) to the physiologically aroused (sympathetic) state.
What happens when the body enters the sympathetic state?
The stress hormone adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla into the bloodstream.
Adrenaline triggers…
physiological changes in the body which creates the physiological arousal necessary for the flight or fight response.
Why is the flight or fight response called an acute response?
All happens in an instant as soon as the threat is detected and is an automatic reaction in the body.
Once the threat has passed,…
the parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to its resting state.
Which 2 systems work in opposition?
The parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system - its actions are antagonistic to each other.
Why is the parasympathetic system considered a brake?
It reduces the activities of the body that were increased by the actions of the sympathetic branch.
