Endocrine System Flashcards
Outline the endocrine system
Works alongside nervous system to control vital functions in body
Acts slower than NS but widespread & powerful effects
Various glands produce hormones which secrete into bloodstream & affect any cell in body that has receptor for that particular hormone
Most hormones affect cells in more than one body organ, leading to may diverse & powerful responses
MASH
Outline the main glands in the endocrine system
Hypothalamus - Brain
Pituitary - Brain
Thyroid - Neck
Parathyroid - Neck
Adrenals - Stomach
Pancreas - Stomach
Ovaries
Testes
THAT OPPP
Give an example of the endocrine system working
Thyroid gland gland produces thyroxine hormone
This affects cells in heart - increases HR
Also effects cells throughout body increasing metabolic rates (chemical processes taking place in cells)
This in turn effects growth rates
Outline the endocrine system and ANS working together during fight or flight
Often endocrine system & ANS work in parallel, e.g. during stressful event
When stressor perceived, (thinking about exams) Hypothalamus activates pituitary gland, triggering activity in sympathetic branch of ANS
ANS changes from usual resting state (parasympathetic state) to physiologically aroused sympathetic state
Adrenaline (stress hormone) released from Adrenal Medulla into bloodstream
Adrenaline triggers physiological changes in body (HR ⬆️), creating physiological arousal necessary for fight/flight response
All this happens in instant as soon as threat detected - it’s an acute response & automatic reaction from body
Physiological changes associated with sympathetic response = stress, panic, excitement
Once threat passed, PNS returns body to resting state
Parasympathetic branch of ANS works in opposition to SNS - it’s actions = antagonistic to SNS
Parasympathetic system acts as brake & reduces activities of body that were increased by actions of sympathetic branch - referred to as rest & digest response
