The endocrine system

Question 1

What is the purpose of the endocrine system?

Answer 1

• Allows different parts of the body to communicate with eachother

Question 2

How does the endocrine system complete its purpose?

Answer 2

• There are loads of different glands throughout the body that secrete hormones
• These hormones travel in our bloodstream and attach on to certain cells which have the correct receptors
• This triggers changes in specific cells

Question 3

What does the pituitary gland do?

Answer 3

• Also known as the “master gland”
• Tells the body what to do and also tells other glands to release their hormones
• Located in the brain (not part of it)

Question 4

What does the thyroid gland do?

Answer 4

• Secretes thryoxine which regulates rate of metabolism and also helps in growth and repair

Question 5

What is TSH?

Answer 5

• Thyroid Stimulating Hormome
• A hormone that is secreted by the pituitary gland when thyroxine levels in the body are low
• This stimulates the release of thryoxine from the thyroid gland

Question 6

How does the endocrine system differ from the nervous system?

Answer 6

• The endocrine system relies on hormones which are transported in the bloodstream
• The hormones spread more slowly but have a longer lasting effect
• Act more generalised (hormones spread through the entire body)

Question 7

What is a hormone?

Answer 7

• Chemical messengers that travel in the blood and bind to target cells