The endocrine system Flashcards
What produces hormones?
Bodily glands
What can some hormones also be?
neurotransmitters
What are the functions of the endocrine system?
• Regulate the activity of cells and organs in the body to maintain homeostasis and promote appropriate growth, metabolism and reproduction.
• Communicate chemical messages by secreting hormones from glands which travel through the bloodstream to specific organs and tissues.
What do hormones do?
secreted by glands and travel less directly right the bloodstream to often quite distant target hormones
Where is the location of the pituitary gland?
mid brain- connected to the hypothalamus
Why is the pituitary gland often considered the master gland of the endocrine system?
because it produces hormones that control many functions of the endocrine glands
Why is the pituitary gland often considered the master gland of the endocrine system?
because it produces hormones that control many functions of the endocrine glands
what does luteinising hormone do?
travels from the pituitary gland through the bloodstream to the tested which in turn produce testosterone which acts locally to support sperm production and in high levels is linked to higher levels of aggression
Where is the pineal gland found?
near the centre of the brain, between the two hemispheres and near the thalamus
What is the main function of the pineal gland?
-to produce melatonin
In humans, what a melatonin production is stimulated by and what is it used to do?
Darkness and is used to initiate the sleep wake cycle
Where are the adrenal glands found?
top of each kidney
What does the adrenal medulla do?
releases the hormone adrenaline which is involved in the body’s fight or flight response to stress
