Endocrine System

Question 1

Endocrine System Overview

Answer 1

• Made up of glands that secret hormones
• Hormones are the bodies chemical messages that are responsible for maintaining homeostasis
• Influences almost every cell, organ and function

Question 2

Differences of endocrine system compared to the nervous system

Answer 2

• Can take hours or days to come into effect
• Hormones are distributed into the bloodstream
• Effects last a lot longer (days)

Question 3

Pituitary gland function

Answer 3

• Often called the master gland as it controls several other hormone glands in the body, including thyroid, adrenal.
• Controlled by the hypothalamus sending messages for appropriate secretion, connected via the pituitary stalk
• Regulates growth, metabolism and reproduction hormones.
• Pea sized gland located at the base of your brain, below your hypothalamus.

Question 4

Hormone Defintion

Answer 4

Chemicals that coordinate different function in your body by carrying messages through your blood to various organs, muscles and other tissues.

Tell your body what to do and when to do it.

Question 5

Pituitary gland hormones

Answer 5

ACTH - Stimulates adrenal glands to produce cortisol (stress hormone)

Growth Hormone - Stimulates growth and impacts fat distribution

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) - Stimulates thyroid to produce thyroid hormones that manage your metabolism, energy levels and nervous system.

Question 6

Adrenal gland function

Answer 6

• Located at the top of both kidneys
• Produce hormones required to live a healthy life.
• Hormones that regulate metabolism / Immune system / Blood pressure / stress response.
• Release Adrenaline and Noradrenaline which trigger sympathetic nervous system to enter fight or flight. HR increase / Breathing rate increases / Relaxation of smooth muscle in the airways to improve breathing

Question 7

Pancreas Function

Answer 7

• Maintain healthy blood sugar levels
• Produces insulin (beta cells) and glucagon (Alpha cells)

Insulin
- Helps regulate blood sugar by assisting the transport of glucose from the blood into neighbouring cells
- Decreases blood sugar levels

Glucagon
- Counteracts actions of insulin
- Triggers your liver to covert glycogen into a usable form and then release it into the bloodstream (glycogenolysis)