endocrine system Flashcards
what is the endocrine system
network of glands across the body which secretes chemical messengers (hormones)
what produce chemicals
endocrine glands
how are hormones transported
secreted into bloodstream from glands, transported towards target cells
what are hormones
chemical substances which circulate in the bloodstream and only affect target organs
what happens when hormone reaches target cells
when enough receptor sites are stimulated by hormones, results in a physiological reaction
what are the 7 glands involved in the endocrine system
hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, overaries, testes, pineal
action of hypothalamus
- connected to pituitary gland
- stimulates and controls release of hormones from PG
action of pituitary gland
- ‘master gland’
- controls other glands
- hormones it releases stimulates release of hormones from other glands
2 parts of PG
anterior
posterior
what hormone does the anterior (PG) release
ACTH (stimulates ovaries and testes)
what hormone does posterior (PG) release
oxytocin (stimulates concentration of uterus)
what hormone does the pineal gland release
melatonin
role of pineal gland
regulates sleep wake cycle
what hormone does the thyroid gland release
thyroxine
role of thyroid gland
regulates metabolism
