Endorcine System Flashcards
What is the endrocrine system?
- contains glands that produce hormones
What is a hormone?
Chemical messengers that circulates in blood + controls how cells/organs influence our behaviour
What are the 7 areas in the endocrine system?
- Hypothalamus
- Pituitary gland
- Thyroid gland
- Adrenal gland
- Pancreas
- Ovaries
- Testes
Function of hypothalamus
- production of hormones
- link between nervous and endocrine system
Hormone released from hypothalamus and its function
Oxytocin- love hormone important for social bonding, promotes attachment
Pituitary gland function
Controls release of all other hormones in endocrine glands
Pituitary gland hormone and the impact
ACTH- important in bodys reponse to stress
Thyroid gland function
- affects cells in heart increasing heart rate
- affects cells in body increasing metabolic rate
Thyroid gland hormone and its impact
Thyroxine- increases metabolic rate + affects growth
Adrenal gland function
Part of fight or flight response
Adrenal gland hormones with their functions
Adrenaline + noradrenaline- prepares body for fight or flight increasing heart rate
Cortisol- stress hormone which regulated blood pressure
Pancreas function
Releases powerful digestive enzymes into small intestine to aid digestion
Pancreas hormones with their functions
Insulin + glucagon - helps regulate blood sugar levels
Ovaries function
Facilitate release of female hormones
Ovaries hormones with their functions
Controls development of female physical features
Oestrogen- controls reproductive cycle
Progesterone- maintains pregancy
