The Endocrine System Flashcards
What is the endocrine system
The hormonal system which works alongside the NS to control vital body functions
What does the endocrine system manufacture and secrete
Hormones which are chemical messengers
What are hormones secreted through
Blood vessels
What are hormones
Chemical messengers that only affect target organs
What are glands
A group of cells that are specialised to produce and secrete specific hormones
What are the main glands in the body
Hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries and testes
What is the key endocrine gland and why
Pituitary gland as it controls the release of hormones from all the other glands in the body
What is the role of the hypothalamus
Acts as your body’s smart control coordinating center to keep your body in a stable condition
What is homeostasis
Maintenance of steady constant internal function in the body
What is the pituitary gland
The master gland which controls the release of hormones from other glands in the body
What is the pituitary gland controlled by
The hypothalamus
What are the two divisions of the pituitary gland
Anterior lobe and posterior lobe
What hormone does the anterior lobe release
Adrenocortical tropic hormone (ACTH)
What does ACTH stimulate and release
Stimulates the adrenal cortex and the release of cortisol
What does the hormones released by the anterior lobe play a role in
How our body responds to stress
What hormone does the posterior lobe release
Oxytocin
What is oxytocin and what is it responsible for
“love hormone” that’s responsible for uterus contractions during childbirth
What does the pineal gland release
Melatonin
What is the role of the pineal gland and melatonin
Responsible for important biological rhythms such as the sleep wake cycle
What hormone does the thyroid gland release
Thyroxine
What is the responsibility of the thyroid gland and thyroxine
Regulating metabolism
What are the two parts of the adrenal gland
Adrenal medulla and Adrenal cortex
What hormone does the adrenal medulla gland release
Adrenaline and noradrenaline
What hormone does the adrenal coretx gland release
Cortisol
What is the responsibility of the adrenal cortex and cortisol
Stimulate glucose release to provide the body with energy whilst suppressing the immune system
What hormone do the ovaries release
Oestrogen
What is the role of the ovaries and oestrogen
Controls the regulation of the female reproductive system like the menstrual cycle and pregnancy
What hormone does the testes release
Testosterone
What is the responsibility of the testes and testosterone
Development of the male sex characteristics during puberty and promoting muscle growth
How does the endocrine system work with the ANS during a fight or flight response
With the use of hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal gland and the hormones that are used to trigger the response
Once the stressful situation has occured , what part of the brain senses the emotions and sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus
Amygdala
What is the amygdala
part of the brain that senses the change in emotions and sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus
Where does the amygdala send the distress signal to
Hypothalamus
What does the hypothalamus trigger to start the fight or flight response
The sympathetic NS and the pituitary gland
What does the pituitary gland release when triggered
ACTH
What does the ACTH stimulate in the process of the fight or flight response
Stimulates the adrenal glands to secret adrenaline and cortisol into the blood stream
When is the flight or flight response in full effect
Once the adrenaline and cortisol is in the blood stream and the effects are shown
What two parts are responsible for regulating the body after the stressful situation is over
Adrenal cortex and the parasympathetic NS
What is the role of the adrenal gland after the stressful situation is over
To release cortisol to block the pituitary gland from increasing adrenaline levels
