Endocrine system Flashcards
What is the endocrine system?
A network of glands across the body that secrets chemical messengers called hormones
What is the purpose of the endocrine system?
To work alongside the nervous system to control vital functions in the body
How does the endocrine system transmit messages>
Blood vessels and hormones
How does the endocrine system signal?
Chemically with hormones secreted by glands
How does the nervous system signal?
Electrically by neural impulses that travel between neurons
What is the speed of transmission of the endocrine system?
It is slower and seconds as it travels through the blood stream
What is the speed of transmission of the nervous system?
It is faster at milliseconds as neurons are interconnected
What is the duration of the effects of the endocrine system?
Longer lived as it takes seconds, minutes or hours until hormone breaks down
What is the duration of effects of the nervous system?
It is shorter lived as seconds until neural impulse ceases
What is the pituitary gland responsible for?
It produces stimulating hormones to message other glands to produce hormones (master gland)
What does the pituitary gland produce?
ACTH and oxytocin
What is ACTH responsible for?
It stimulates the adrenal gland to produce cortisol
What is oxytocin responsible for?
Mother-infant bonding, uterine contraction and milk flow in breast feeding
What are the adrenal glands responsible for?
The stress response
What do the adrenal glands produce?
The adrenal cortex produces cortisol and the adrenal medulla produces adrenaline
