The Endocrine System Flashcards
What is sensitivity
The ability to detect change and respond to it
What is an endocrine system
A group of specialised glands that produce chemicals called hormones many of which are proteins
What is a hormone
Chemical messengers produced in specialised glands and transported in the blood to a particular area (the target organ) wheee they have their effect
What is an endocrine gland
Ductless glands that produce hormones which are released directly into the bloodstream
What is an exocrine gland
Release their products through duct eg salivary glands
Difference between endocrine action and nervous action
Hormone action is slower
Hormone action is more general than nervous which effects a particular area
Hormones control long term changes eg. Puberty, growth, nervous system are short term
Most hormone activity is controlled by what gland
The pituitary gland and hypothalamus
What is the job of the pituitary gland
Releases activating hormones that trigger other glands to release theirs
What are the activating hormones that the pituitary gland produces
ADH that stimulates water reabsorption in kidneys
TSH stimulates thyroid gland to release thyroxine
FSH controls reproductive organs
Where is thyroid located
Neck
What does thyroid gland produce
Thyroxine
What is the function of thyroxine
Stimulates metabolism
Where is parathyroid found
Dots on thyroid
What does the parathyroid produce
Hormones which increases calcium in blood
What endocrine gland is also an exocrine gland
Pancreas
