The Endocrine System

Question 1

What is the endocrine system?

Answer 1

The endocrine system works alongside the nervous system. It is a network of glands across the body that secrete chemical messages called hormones.
Instead of using nerves (sensory and motor neurons) to transmit information, this system uses blood vessels. Different hormones produce different effects (behaviours).
The endocrine system works alongside the nervous system to control vital functions in the body. The endocrine system acts much more slowly than the nervous system but has very widespread and powerful effects. Various glands in the body such as the thyroid gland, produce hormones. Hormones are secreted into the bloodstream and affect any cell in the body that has a receptor for that particular hormone.

Question 2

What are the main glands in the endocrine system?

Answer 2

Pituitary gland in the hypothalamus
Pineal gland
Thyroid gland
Pancreas
Adrenal gland
Ovary
Testicle
Placenta

Question 3

What is the major gland?

Answer 3

The major endocrine gland is the pituitary gland, located in the brain. It is often called the ‘master gland’ because it controls the release of hormones from all the other endocrine glands in the body.

The hypothalamus is connected to the pituitary gland and is responsible for stimulating or controlling the release of hormones from the pituitary gland. Therefore, the hypothalamus is the control system which regulates the endocrine system.

Question 4

Thyroid gland hormone and effects

Answer 4

Thyroxine
Regulates the bodies, metabolic rate and protein synthesis

Question 5

Adrenal medulla hormones and effect

Answer 5

Adrenaline fight of flight response increases, increased heart rate and blood flow to the brain and muscles release of stored glucose of fats for use and or fight responses

Question 6

Adrenal cortex

Answer 6

Cortisol further release of stored glucose of that for energy expenditure suppression of the immune system and the inflammatory response
Mineral corticoids regulate the water valence of the body through water and sodium absorption in the kidneys

Question 7

Testes

Answer 7

Testosterone development of male secondary sexual characteristics at puberty promotes muscle mass and muscle growth

Question 8

Ovaries

Answer 8

Oestrogen regulation of female reproductive system, menstrual cycle and pregnancy

Question 9

Pineal

Answer 9

Melatonin regulation of arousal, biological rhythms and the sleep cycle

Question 10

Hormones secreted by pituitary gland

Answer 10

Adrenocortical trophic hormone (ACTH) Adrenal cortex, stimulating release of glucocorticoids such as cortisone and corticosterone. Key component in the stress response
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) Thyroid gland, stimulating release of thyroxine
Prolactin Mammary glands, stimulating milk production and release
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) Ovaries and testes, stimulating release of ovarian follicles and promoting spermatogenesis
Growth hormone General promotion of cell growth and multiplication in the body
Melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) Stimulates the production and release of the pigment melanin in the skin and the hair
Posterior (back) pituitary gland hormones Target organs and/or effects
Vasopressin or antidiuretic hormone (ADH) Involved in regulating the water balance of the body; stimulates water reabsorption by kidney and increases blood volume
Oxytocin Important in promoting uterine contractions in childbirth and lactation after birth