Endocrine system

Question 1

How the endocrine system works

Answer 1

1. Glands are organs that release small chemicals called hormones.
2. These chemicals are normally released into the bloodstream, allowing them to travel around the body.
3. They can bind to specific cells that have the correct receptors
4. This will bring about some change within the cells

Question 2

Types of Gland

Answer 2

• Pituary gland
• Thyroid
• Adrenal glands
• Pancreas
• Testes
• Ovaries

Question 3

Pituary gland

‘master gland’

Answer 3

• Attached to brain
• Secretes hormones

Some of these hormones tell the body what to do,
Others tell other glands to secrete other hormones

Question 4

Thyroid

Answer 4

• Produces thyroxine

Thyroxine regulates the rate of metabolism and also growth and development

Question 5

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)

Answer 5

• Released when Pituary gland detects low levels of thyroxine
  Stimulates the thyroid to make more
• This type of response is known as negative feedback

Question 6

Adrenal glands

Answer 6

• Produces adrenaline for flight or fight response
• Adrenaline increases heart rate in order to make blood flow around the body faster

Question 7

Pancreas

Answer 7

• Produces insulin

Insulin regulates blood sugar

Question 8

Testes

Answer 8

Produces testosterone
* Testosterone is used for puberty and production of sperm

Question 9

Ovaries

Answer 9

Produces Oestrogen
* Oestrogen is used for puberty and the menstrual cycle, as well as the production of eggs (ovum)

Question 10

Endocrine vs. Nervous

Answer 10

Endocrine
* Relies on hormones
* Transported by blood
* Glands
* Spread slowly
* Effects last longer
* Act more generally

Nervous
* Electrical impulses
* Nerve cells
* Very fast
* Effects don’t last long
* Targets one specific area: ‘Precise’