Endocrine System Flashcards
Endocrine Gland
A structure of the endocrine system that produces and releases its chemical products directly into the bloodstream.
Hormone
A chemical in an organism that produces a specific effect such as growth or development.
Target cell
A cell in the body that recognizes a hormone’s chemical structure.
Negative feedback
A process in which a system is turned off by the condition it produces.
Hypothalamus
controlling body temperature, thirst, hunger, and other homeostatic systems
Pituitary gland
the “master gland” of the body, it produces many hormones that travel throughout the body, directing certain processes or stimulating other glands to produce other hormones.
Thymus gland
The thymus gland, located behind your sternum and between your lungs, is only active until puberty. After puberty, the thymus starts to slowly shrink and become replaced by fat. Thymosin is the hormone of the thymus, and it stimulates the development of disease-fighting T cells.
Adrenal glands
produce a variety of hormones including adrenaline and the steroids aldosterone and cortisol. They are found above the kidneys.
Reproductive glands (testis, ovary)
a mixed gland that produces the gametes (sex cells) and sex hormones of an organism. In the female of the species the reproductive cells are the egg cells, and in the male the reproductive cells are the sperm.
Pancreas
regulates blood sugar
Thyroid/Parathyroid
a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck.
Pineal gland
located near the center of the brain, produces melatonin and helps regulate sleep patterns.
