Endocrine System

Question 1

What is the endocrine system?

Answer 1

One of the body’s major information systems that instructs glands to release hormones directly into the bloodstream. These hormones are carried towards target organs in the body.

Question 2

Gland

Answer 2

An organ in the body which snytheses substances such as hormones

Question 3

Hormones

Answer 3

Chemical substances that circulate in the blood stream and only affect target organs. They are produced in large quantities but disappear quickly. Their effects are very powerful. Hormones are secreted into the bloodstream and affect any cell in the body that has a receptor for that particular hormone.

Question 4

Pituitary gland

Answer 4

Hormone: LH FSH (lots)
impact: it is located in the brain. It is known as the master gland because the hormones released by the pituitary gland control and stimulate the release of hormones from other glands in the endocrine system

Question 5

Pineal gland

Answer 5

Hormone: melatonin
Impact: important for biological rhythms including the sleep wake cycle

Question 6

Thyroid gland

Answer 6

Hormone:thyroxine
Impact: Responsible for regulating metabolism

Question 7

Testes

Answer 7

Hormone: testosterone

Impact: Responsible for the development of male sex characteristics during puberty while also promoting muscle growth

Question 8

Ovaries

Answer 8

Hormone: oestrogen
Impact: Controls the regulation of the female / reproductive system, including the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Question 9

Adrenal gland

Answer 9

Hormone: adrenaline
Impact: responsible for the fight or flight response- stimulates heart rate, contracts blood vessels, and dilates air passages among other impacts

Question 10

Pancreas

Answer 10

Hormone: insulin
Impact: allows the body to use glucose from carbohydrates in food for energy or to store glucose for future use. Helps keep the blood sugar levels stable.

Question 11

Fight or flight response

Answer 11

This response is the way an animal responds when stressed. The body becomes physiology aroused in readiness to fight an aggressor or in some cases flee. The response is reflexive meaning that it occurs without conscious awareness or thought.

Question 12

Adrenaline

Answer 12

Has a strong effect on the cells of the cardiovascular system- stimulating heart rate, contracting blood vessels, and dilating air passages, sweating, more saliva is produced

Question 13

Fight or flight response process

Answer 13

1) the hypothalamus recognised that there is a threat in the environment
2) the ANS activated the sympathetic nervous system
3) the sympathetic nervous system tells the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)
4) this sends a message to the adrenal gland
5) the adrenal gland responds by releasing adrenaline
6) the adrenaline travels via the bloodstream and targets organs in the body which have adrenaline receptors
7) this causes many physical changes to occur
8) once the threat has passed the parasympathetic nervous system brings the body back to normal, resting functions

Question 14

What is the role of adrenaline?

Answer 14

It is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands which is part of the body’s stress response system. Adrenaline has a strong effect on cells of the cardiovascular system- stimulating the heart rate, contracting blood vessels and dilating air passages
(Sweat glands produce more sweat) more saliva