The function of the endocrine system: glands and hormones

Question 1

Define endocrine glands

Answer 1

Special groups of cells within the endocrine system, whose function is to produce and secrete hormones

Question 2

Define endocrine system

Answer 2

A network of glands throughout the body that manufacture and secrete chemical messengers known as hormones

Question 3

Define hormones

Answer 3

The body’s chemical messengers. They travel through the bloodstream, influencing many different processes including mood, the stress response and bonding between mother and newborn baby.

Question 4

How does the endocrine system work?

Answer 4

This system works with the nervous system to regulate physiological processes of the human body.
The endocrine system uses blood vessels to deliver hormones to their target sites in the body.

Question 5

What are the major glands in the endocrine system?

Answer 5

• the pituitary gland
  -adrenal glands
• the reproductive organs (ovaries and testes)

Question 6

What are hormones?

Answer 6

Hormones are chemicals that circulate in the bloodstream and are carried to target sites throughout the body.

Question 7

How do hormones come into contact with other cells?

Answer 7

Although hormones come into contact with most cells in the body, a given hormone usually affects only a limited number of cells, known as target cells. There has to be particular receptors for particular hormones. Cells that don’t have such a receptor cannot be influenced directly by that hormone. When enough receptor sites are stimulated, this results in a physiological reaction in the target cell.

Question 8

Why do target cells respond to a particular hormone?

Answer 8

Target cells respond to a particular hormone because they have receptor cells for that hormone, whereas cells without these specific receptor cells are not affected by that hormone.

Question 9

Describe the pituitary gland

Answer 9

controlled by the hypothalamus and is known as the master gland. Pituitary produces hormones that travel to their specific target cell, which directly causes physiological changes or stimulates other glands to produce hormones.

Question 10

What does the pituitary gland control?

Answer 10

This controls the release of hormones from all other endocrine glands

Question 11

What are the 2 parts of the pituitary gland?

Answer 11

The anterior (front)
the posterior (back)

Question 12

What hormone does the anterior pituitary produce?

Answer 12

adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) as a response to stress.

Question 13

What does adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) stimulate?

Answer 13

ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.

Question 14

What 2 other hormones does the anterior produce?

Answer 14

Luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

Question 15

What does LH and FSH do?

Answer 15

In females these hormones stimulate the ovaries to produce oestrogen and progesterone, and in males they stimulate the testes to produce testosterone and sperm.

Question 16

What does the posterior pituitary release?

Answer 16

Oxytocin

Question 17

What does oxytocin do?

Answer 17

stimulates the contraction of the uterus in childbirth, and is important for mother-infant bonding. Research using mice has found that oxytocin is indispensable for healthy maintenance and repair, and that it declines with age (Elabd et al 2014).

Question 18

Describe the adrenal glands

Answer 18

These release adrenaline directly into the bloodstream which prepares the body for fight or flight by constricting blood vessels in the stomach. This inhibits digestion and gives you that sick feeling as well as increasing your heart rate

Question 19

Where are the adrenal glands located?

Answer 19

sit on top of the kidneys. Split into the adrenal cortex, which releases hormones necessary for life, the adrenal medulla does not.

Question 20

Each adrenal gland has 2 parts. What are they?

Answer 20

The outer part = adrenal cortex
The inner region = adrenal medulla

Question 21

What is the main distinction between the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla?

Answer 21

the adrenal cortex releases hormones necessary for life, whereas the adrenal medulla releases hormones that do not.

Question 22

Which hormones does the adrenal cortex produce?

Answer 22

Cortisol and aldosterone

Question 23

What is cortisol?

Answer 23

A stress hormone that has a variety of functions such as cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory functions. If cortisol levels are low, the individual has low blood pressure, poor immune function and inability to deal with stress.

Question 24

What is aldosterone responsible for?

Answer 24

responsible for maintaining blood volume and blood pressure.

Question 25

What hormones does the adrenal medulla release?

Answer 25

Adrenaline and noradrenaline

Question 26

What does adrenaline do?

Answer 26

Adrenaline helps the body response to a stressful situation e.g. increasing heart rate and blood flow to the muscles and brain.

Question 27

What does noradrenaline do?

Answer 27

Noradrenaline constricts the blood vessels, causing blood pressure to increase.

Question 28

What do the ovaries do?

Answer 28

This facilitates the release of the female hormones – oestrogen and progesterone

Question 29

What are the ovaries responsible for?

Answer 29

Ovaries are responsible for the production of eggs and for the hormones of oestrogen and progesterone.

Question 30

What do the testes do?

Answer 30

This facilitates the release of the male hormones – testosterone

Question 31

What does testosterone cause?

Answer 31

Testosterone causes the development of male characteristics such as growth of facial hair, deepening of the voice and growth spurts. Testosterone also plays a role in sex drive, sperm production and maintenance of muscle strength and is associated with overall health and well-being in men.

Question 32

What is the production of testosterone controlled by?

Answer 32

Testosterone production is controlled by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus instructs the pituitary gland on how much testosterone to produce, and the pituitary gland passes this message to the testes.