location of endocrine glands

Question 1

Hypothalamus (4)

Answer 1

• secretes ADH (anti-diuretic hormone)
• above pituitary gland
• osmoreceptors detect an increase in osmolarity (low water levels) releasing ADH
• helps conserve water in the body

Question 2

Pituitary gland (8)

Answer 2

• ‘master gland’
• attached to hypothalamus at the base of the brain stalk
• Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete Thyroxin
• Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates oogenisis which is the formation of eggs in the ovary ; and in males stimulates spermatogenisis which is sperm formation in the testes
• Luteinising hormone (LH) stimulates ovulation from the ovary and corpus luteum responsible in the formation of progesterone
• Prolactin stimulates the production of milk in women’s mammary glands
• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulates adrenal cortex to secrete cortisone and aldosterone
• Interstitial cell stimulating hormone (ICSH) stimulates testes to secrete testosterone
• Growth hormone (GH) or STH (somatotrophic hormone) promotes skeletal muscular growth, stimulates synthesis of proteins

Question 3

thyroid gland (4)

Answer 3

• near throat (on either side of the trachea just below larynx
• thyroxin (iodine is essential for the production of it, if levels are low a goitre may form)
• thyroxin is a hormone that increases basal metabolic rate (amount of energy the body needs to keep functioning at rest) regulating growth and development
• promotes normal functioning of nervous system

Question 4

pancreas (5)

Answer 4

• lower to middle stomach
• insulin and glucagon
• insulin (lowers blood sugar level), makes cell membranes in the liver and muscles more permeable to glucose and increases rate of conversion of glucose to glycogen
• glucagon (increases blood sugar level), targets cells n the liver that convert glycogen into glucose
• apart of exocrine (secretion of pancreatic juices that flow along the pancreatic duct into the duodenum)
• endocrine system (secretion of hormones by groups of cells called islets of Langerhans, secrete directly into the blood)
• Islet of Langerhans (alpha cells secrete glucagon, beta cells secrete insulin)

Question 5

adrenal medulla (10)

Answer 5

• pyramid-shaped found on top of kidney
• adrenalin
• fright of flight reaction
• blood pressure is increased (vasoconstriction, more blood goes to skeletal and cardiac muscle
• blood sugar level increases (provides fuel for extra energy)
• oxygen content is raised (increases respiration meaning more energy released)
• heart rate is increased (more blood with oxygen and higher glucose levels going to muscles, cellular respiration increases and therefore more energy)
• skeletal muscle tone is increased (enables faster muscle response)
• dilution of pupils (better vision)
• increased sweating (cooling for the body)
• reduction of digestive system
• increased mental alertness (thinking and awareness for coping in emergencies)

Question 6

adrenal cortex (2)

Answer 6

• pyramid-shaped found on top of kidneys
• aldosterone (reabsorption of sodium ions, regulates electrolytic levels and therefore osmoregulation)
• cortisol (ability to resist stress, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic)

Question 7

gonads (2 x 2-3 x 2-3)

Answer 7

• reproductive organs
• testis for males
• ovaries for females
• oestrogen (rapid increase of physical growth during puberty, appearance of secondary sex characteristics, maturation of reproductive organs and keep them in a functional state), inhibit the release of FSH and LH.
• progesterone (helps maintain endometrium in a functional state during pregnancy, keeps smooth muscle of uterus wall relaxed)
• both promote cyclic changes in the endometrium during menstrual cycle, endometrium becomes more glandular and vascular)
• testosterone (rapid increase in growth rate during puberty, development of secondary sex characteristics, maturation of sexual organs, sex drive)

Question 8

oxytocin (2)

Answer 8

• ‘cuddle hormone’
• released during intimate times or social bonding
• released by pituitary gland

Question 9

prolactin (2)

Answer 9

• promotes breast growth and development and production of milk when a baby is born
• released from pituitary gland