Lesson 4 - Endocrine system Flashcards
What does the endocrine system do?
Provides a system of communication in the body via the blood stream. The endocrine glands produce and secrete hormones into the blood stream. These hormones are required to regulate most bodily functions.
What are the major glands of the Endocrine system?
The pituitary gland and the adrenal gland.
What cells are effected by hormones?
Hormones come into contact with most cells in the body, they only affect target cells. This is because these cells have receptors for this hormone.
What type of hormones does the pituitary gland produce?
Hormones whose primary function is to influence the release of other hormones from other glands.
What part of the brain controls the pituitary gland?
The hypothalamus.
How does the pituitary gland know what to do?
The hypothalamus receives information from many sources about the state of body. Hypothalamus sends a signal to pituitary gland by releasing a hormone. This cause the pituitary gland to send a stimulating hormone into bloodstream to tell the target gland to release said hormone.
What are the two divisions of the pituitary gland?
The anterior pituitary gland - this gland releases a hormone called ACTH which regulates levels of cortisol.
The posterior pituitary gland - this gland releases the hormone oxytocin which is crucial for infant/mother bonding.
What are the two different adrenal glands?
Adrenal cortex, Adrenal Medulla
What does the adrenal cortex do?
It produces cortisol which is produced in high amounts during periods of stress.
What does the adrenal medulla do?
It produces adrenaline, the hormone that is needed for the fight or flight response.
