The endocrine system Flashcards
What does the endocrine system do?
Instructs glands to release hormones directly into the bloodstream.
What do the hormones released do?
They are carried towards target organs in the body.
How does the endocrine system communicate.
Via chemicals.
What is a gland?
An organ in the body that synthesises substances e.g hormones.
What do hormones do?
Secrete into the bloodstream and affect any cell that has a receptor for that particular hormone.
What are hormones?
A biochemical substance that circulates in the blood but only affect target organs.
An example of an hormone and what is does?
Thyroxine (hormone) = affect the calls in the heart (increases heart rate).
also affects cells throughout the body increasing metabolic rates (chemical process taking place in the cells)
What is the key endocrine gland?
Pituitary gland
what does the pituitary gland do?
Controls the release of hormones from all the other endocrine glands in the body.
What happens in your body when a stressor is perceived?
The hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland and this triggers the sympathetic branch in the ANS.
changes from a parasympathetic to a sympathetic state.
What is the fight or flight response?
When the body becomes physiologically aroused in readiness to fight or flee an perceived threat.
What does adrenaline do?
It triggers physiological changes in the body (increased heart rate) which creates the physiological arousal necessary for fight or flight.
Examples of sympathetic state?
- increased heart rate
- increased breathing rate
- dilates pupils
- inhibits saliva production
- inhibits digestion
Examples of parasympathetic state?
- decreased heart rate
- decreased breathing rate
- constricts pupils
- stimulates digestion
- stimulates saliva production
What is the parasympathetic state?
Returns the body to its resting state.
