Hormonal Control

Question 1

What is the function of an endocrine gland?

Answer 1

Endocrine glands release hormones into the bloodstream, the three main endocrine glands are the pancreas, the ovaries (females) and the testes (males)

Question 2

What are hormones?

Answer 2

A hormone is a chemical messenger released into the bloodstream

Question 3

How do hormones work?

Answer 3

They are carried all over the body in the blood to a specific target cell. The target tissue contains special receptor proteins that will recognise the hormone. The receptor proteins ensure only the target tissues are affected by the hormone

Question 4

How are hormones specific?

Answer 4

Only cells from particular tissues that have the complementary receptor on their cell surface for the specific hormone are affected by the hormone, this makes the specific

Question 5

How are changes in blood glucose levels detected?

Answer 5

By the pancreas

Question 6

How does the body respond to an increase in blood glucose?

Answer 6

-The pancreas responds by releasing the hormone insulin
-Receptors in the liver detect the insulin
-In response, the liver starts to convert excess glucose into glycogen
-The blood glucose levels fall

Question 7

How does the body react to a decrease in blood glucose?

Answer 7

-The pancreas responds by releasing the hormone glucagon
-Receptors in the liver detect the glucagon
-In response the liver starts to convert glycogen back into glucose
-The blood glucose levels rise

When the glucose is gone, it’s time for glucagon!