The Endocrine System Flashcards
(30 cards)
What is the endocrine system?
Network of glands throughout the body that manufacture and secret chemical messengers called hormones
What are hormones required for?
Regulate bodily fluids
The endocrine system provides a chemical system of?
Communication for the body via the bloodstream. A required amount of specific hormone is released from an endocrine gland which regulate physiological processes of human body
What are the major endocrine glands?
Pituitary gland and adrenal glands and reproductive organs
What are glands?
A group of cells that synthesises substances for release into the bloodstream
What are hormones?
Chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream and are carried to target sites through the body
How do hormones work?
Target cells respond to particular hormones as they have receptors for that hormone.
When enough receptor sites are stimulated by hormones it causes a physiological reaction
How is the endocrine system regulated?
By feedback
What is the pituitary gland?
Master gland that causes hormones to be released from other endocrine glands
What is the adrenal gland?
Supports key functions in the body such as anti-inflammation and heart functions
What are the testes?
Where the make sex cells are produced and male sex hormones
What are the ovaries?
Where the female sex cells are produced and hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle
What does the pituitary gland do that affects our behaviour?
Makes the adrenal gland release cortisol in response to stress
Ovaries to release oestrogen.
What does the ovaries do that affects our behaviour?
Releases oestrogen which is responsible for female reproduction. Release progesterone which makes us sensitive to social cues.
What does the testes do that affect our behaviour?
Responsible for releasing testosterone which is important in sperm production and muscle strength
What does the adrenal gland do that affects our behaviour?
Releases adrenaline which helps us to respond to stress
Releases cortisol which lowers sensitivity to pain
What is the adrenal glands key function?
Supports bodily functions such as cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory functions
Adrenal gland: What is cortisol(hormone) effect on behaviour?
It affects glucose metabolism, lowers sensitivity to pain and suppresses the immune system.
Adrenal gland: what is the effect of hormone adrenaline?
Increases heart rate, blood flow to muscles and brain converting glycogen to glucose
Adrenal gland: what is the key function of adrenaline?
Causes physiological changes associated with arousal and prepares the body for fight or flights
What is the key function of the pituitary gland?
Produces hormones that control the release of of hormones from other glands
Pituitary gland: what is the effect of hormones LH and FSH on behaviour?
In females when released it stimulates ovaries and produce oestrogen and progesterone
Males stimulates the testes to produce testosterone
Pituitary gland: what is the effect of hormones ACTH on behaviour?
Released upon stress, it stimulates the adernal glands to release cortisol
What is the key function of the testes?
Produces sperm and male sex hormones
