Endocrine System Flashcards
Define exocrine glands
Exocrine glands release their products into ducts or tubes
Define endocrine glands
They are ductless glands that excrete hormones directly into the bloodstream
What are the nervous and endocrine systems?
The two systems work together to co-ordinate the body
systems.
Define hormone
Hormones are chemical messengers produced by an
endocrine gland and are carried by the blood to another part
of the body where it has a specific effect.
What is another name of the pituitary gland?
Master gland
What are most hormones made from?
Protein
What does the pituitary gland produce and what is the function?
Produces GH Growth hormone- Growth hormone GH causes body cells to absorb amino acids which causes protein formation.
Produces LH – luteinising hormone- stimulates ovulation
FSH – follicle stimulating hormone - stimulates follicle egg to develop in ovary
Where is the pituitary gland located?
Located at the base of the brain.
What are the differences between the nervous system and the endocrine system?
Endocrine-
speed is slower acting
response is long lasting
messages are carried by chemicals
eg growth hormone
Nervous-
fast acting response
response in short lived
messages carried by mostly electrical impulses
eg catching an object
What does the hypothalamus produce and its function?
It links the endocrine and nervous system. Secretes hormones that control the pituitary gland
Produces ADH (anti-diuretic hormone).
ADH causes water to be reabsorbed in the kidneys.
What does the pineal gland do?
It produces a number of hormones including melatonin.
Melatonin is thought to be involved with sleep and activity patterns.
Located in the brain tiny
What does the thyroid gland do?
Produces thyroxine.
Thyroxine stimulates metabolism.
H shaped gland found in the trachea
What are parathyroids?
Located in the thyroid gland.
Produce parathormone.
Parathormone stimulates the release of calcium from
bones into blood plasma.
What does the thymus gland do?
Located behind the breastbone in the upper chest.
Produces thymosin
Thymosin causes lymphocytes (WBC) to mature and become
active.
What do the adrenal glands produce and the function?
Adrenals located on top of each kidney.
Produce Adrenaline.
Adrenaline helps the body to respond more efficiently to
stress. Fight or flight response
What are gonads?
The gonads are the sex glands - the testes and ovaries.
wHAT DO THE GONADS PRODUCE?
Testosterone- testes
Responsible for male secondary sexual characteristics
Ovaries- oestrogen
Responsible for female secondary sexual characteristics
What gland is Both an endocrine and an exocrine gland.?
Pancreas
What are the parts of the endocrine and exocrine function of the pancreas?
The exocrine part produces digestive enzymes which are released into the pancreatic duct (common bile duct)
The endocrine part are the Islets of Langerhans, where insulin is produced and blood sugar levels are reduced
What are the islets of Langerhans?
A group of cells in the pancreas that produce insulin
Insulin is responsible for controlling and reducing the glucose
levels of the blood.
How does insulin affect glucose levels?
It reduces blood glucose levels by causing muscle and fat
cells to absorb glucose where it is then used in respiration or
converted into glycogen and stored in muscles and the liver.
What are the symptoms of a thyroxine deficiency?
Symptoms include: Tiredness, lack of energy, slow mental
and physical activity, weight gain caused by a build up of fluid
under the skin.
Collectively this is called myxoedema.
What is a thyroxine deficiency?
Deficiency in adults results in a reduced metabolic rate as a result of an underproduction in thyroxine
What indicates a thyroxine deficiency?
Goitre
Thyroxine deficiency can cause the thyroid to swell
