Human Endocrine Systems Flashcards
Exocrine Glands
Both the salivary glands and sweat glands are known as Exocrine Glands because they have ducts. These ducts carry their secretions to where they are needed.
Endocrine Glands
Some glands produce secretions which have to be transported for use far away from the gland itself. Glands such as these pour their secretions directly into the blood. These glands, which do not have ducts, are called endocrine glands. These secretions of the endocrine glands are called hormones.
Thyroid Glands and Adrenal Glands
The thyroid gland, in the neck region, secretes the hormone thyroxin into the blood.
The adrenal gland, found above the kidney, secretes the hormone adrenalin into the blood.
Pancreas
When the pancreas secretes pancreatic juice, which is carried to the duodenum by means of the pancreatic duct, it functions as an exocrine gland.
When special tissues inside the pancreas (called the islets of Langerhans) secrete the hormones insulin or glucagon, directly into the blood, it functions as an endocrine glands.
Hormones
Hormones are organic chemical messengers which are mostly proteins in nature.
Properties of Hormones
They do not ac independently but form an integrated system bringing about co-ordination and homeostasis through specific effects on organs.
They control a wide variety of functions, including growth and reproduction.
Hormones are secreted in small amounts directly into the blood, which transports them to the organs they stimulate. These organs are called target organs.
Some important Endocrine Glands
The Endocrine System is made up of many glands that are located in various parts of the body.
The Hypothalamus
The Hypothalamus is found on the underside of the brain. It produces the anti-diuretic (ADH). This hormone is stored in, and released from, the pituitary gland. In this way, the hypothalamus plays an important role in linking the nervous system with the endocrine system.
ADH secretion on a Hot Day
ADH is secreted in large amounts, increasing the permeability of the walls of the distal convoluted tubule and collecting tubule.
More water leaves the tubules and enters the medulla oblongata from where it is reabsorbed by blood capillaries.
In this way excessive water loss from the blood is prevented.
ADH secretion on a Cold Day
ADH secretion is decreased, thus decreasing the permeability of the walls of the distal convoluted tubule and collecting tubule.
Less water leaves the tubule and the water that remains in the tubule is lost in the form of dilute urine.
In this way excess water is lost from the body.
The Pituitary Gland/ Hypophysis
The Pituitary Gland/Hypophysis is a small (pea-sized) gland situated in a bony cavity at the base of the brain. It is attached to the hypothalamus of the brain.
The pituitary gland is made up of two lobes, the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. Both lobes produce many important hormones. Some of these hormones control other endocrine glands. The pituitary gland is therefore sometimes called the “master gland”.
Hormones produced by the pituitary gland
Growth Hormone
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in females
Prolactin
Growth Hormone
This hormone is essential for the growth and development of the skeleton and muscles and thus the body as a whole.
Effects of Over-secretion/ Under-secretion of the Growth Hormone in childhood.
If too much of this hormone is secreted (Over-secretion) in childhood then the muscles and bones will grow very much faster than normal. The child will grow into a ‘giant’. This condition is called gigantism.
If too little of this hormone is secreted (Under-secretion) during childhood, then the bones and muscles will grow very slowly and the child will develop into a very small adult. This condition is called dwarfism. The mental development of such dwarfs is not affected.
Effects of Over-secretion/Under-secretion of the Growth Hormone during adulthood.
Over-secretion of the growth hormone during adulthood, results in the bones of the hands ad legs (especially the fingers and toes) and the face (especially the chin), becoming enlarged. This condition is known as acromegaly.
Under secretion of the growth hormone during childhood has little or no effect on the body.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete the hormone thyroxin. Increased production and release of TSH into the blood will therefore lead to an increased in thyroxin production and vice versa.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
In females, this hormone controls the production of ova (eggs) in the Graafian Follicle of the ovary. FSH reaches its highest concentration at the time of ovulation. FSH is also produced in males where it controls the development of sperms.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in females
Luteinizing Hormone has three basic functions as follows:
Controls the release of the egg from the follicle during ovulation.
Causes the Graafian Follicle to become the corpus luteum after ovulation.
Stimulates the Graafian Follicles to produce oestrogen.
Prolactin
This hormone stimulates the production of milk by the mother. This process of milk production is called lactation.
The Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland is an H-shaped land consisting of two lobes, on either side of the trachea just below the larynx.
When the pituitary gland secretes Thyroid Simulating Hormone (TSH), the thyroid gland is stimulated tp secrete thyroxin.
Functions of Thyroxin:
It regulates the metabolic rate. For example, when more energy is required, thyroxin increases the rate of oxidation of glucose in the cells.
It affects the growth and functioning of the heart and nervous system.
Iodine
Iodine is essential for the production of thyroxin. We obtain this iodine from the food we eat and from the water we drink. When we do not take in sufficient iodine, our thyroid glands enlarge to form a swelling referred to as goitre.