Topic 8 : The Endocrine System Flashcards
What is the endocrine system composed of
Glands which secrete hormones directly into the blood stream
What are hormones
Organic compounds which have specific effects on the body
The endocrine system helps to regulate what in the body
Mood, growth and development, tissue function, metabolism, as well as sexual function and reproductive processes
The endocrine system is composed of what glands
Endocrine
What do endocrine glands do
Secrete hormones directly into the blood stream
What is the endocrine system composed of
It’s composed of glands, which secrete hormones directly into the blood stream
What are hormones
They are organic compounds which have specific effects on the body
What is the endocrine system instrumental in
Regulating mood, growth and development, tissue function, and metabolism, as well as sexual function and reproductive processes
The endocrine system is in charge of what
Body processes that happen slowly, such as cell growth
What does the nervous system monitor
Faster processes like breathing and body movement
Even though the nervous system and endocrine system are separate systems they still what
Often work together to hep the body function work properly
What are the foundations of the endocrine system
Hormones and glands
What are the body’s chemical messengers that transfer information and instructions from one set of cells to another
Hormones
Although many different hormones circulate throughout the bloodstream what cells are programmed to receive and respond to their messages
Only the cells that are genetically programmed to
What factors can influence hormone levels
Stress, infection, and changes in the balance of fluid and minerals in blood
A gland is a group of cells that do what
Produce and secrete, or gives off, chemicals
A gland selects and removes materials from the blood and does what to them
Processes them, and secretes the finished chemical product for use somewhere in the body
Glands release their secretions in specific areas ie sweat and salivary glands, which release secretions in the skin or inside of the mouth. These are part of what type of glands
Exocrine glands
Endocrine glands release more than 20 what
hormones directly into the bloodstream where they can be transported to cells in other parts of the body
What are the major glands that make up the human endocrine system
Hypothalamus
Pituitary
Thyroid
Parathyroids
Adrenal
Pineal body
Reproductive glands (ovaries and testes
The pancreas is part of the endocrine system but is also associated with what other system
The digestive system because it also produces and secretes digestive enzymes
What are some non-endocrine organs that also produce and secrete hormones
Brain
Heart
Lungs
Kidneys
Liver
Thymus
Skin
Placenta
There is a collection of specialised cells that is located in the lower central part of the brain which is the primary link between the endocrine and nervous system, what is this called
Hypothalamus
Nerve cells in the hypothalamus control the pituitary gland by producing what
Chemicals that either stimulate or suppress hormone secretions from the pituitary
What gland lies at the base of the brain just beneath the hypothalmus
Pituitary
What is the pituitary gland also concerned with
Body metabolic rate, growth, fertility and blood pressure
What gland is no bigger than a pea, but considered the most important part of the endocrine system
Pituitary
What gland is often called the “master gland” because it makes hormones that control several other endocrine glands
Pituitary
What factors can influence the production and secretion of pituitary hormones
Emotions and seasonal changes
When the pituitary hormones are influenced by factors such as emotions and seasonal changes, what needs to be accomplished
The hypothalamus relays information sensed by the brain (such as environmental temperature, light exposure patterns, and feelings) to the pituitary
What two parts are the pituitary glands divided into
Anterior lobe and posterior lobe
The anterior lobe regulates the activity of what glands
Thyroid, adrenals, and reproductive glands
What are some of the hormones produced by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland
Growth hormone, prolactin, thyrotropin and corticotropin
What hormone stimulates the growth of bone and other body tissues and plays a role in the body’s handling of nutrients and minerals
Growth hormone
What hormone activates milk production in women who are breastfeeding
Prolactin
What stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones
Thyrotropin
What hormone stimulates the adrenal gland to produce certain hormones
Corticotropin
The pituitary gland also secretes what chemicals that act on the nervous system to reduce sensitivity to pain
Endorphins
Hormones are also secreted to signal the ovaries and testes to make sex hormones from what gland
The pituitary
What gland controls ovulation and the menstrual cycle in women
Pituitary gland
What part of the pituitary gland releases a hormone which helps control body water balance through its effect on the kidneys and urine output
Posterior lobe
In the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland what hormone triggers the contractions of the uterus that occur during labour
Oxytocin
What gland is situated at the front and sides of the neck that concerns growth
Thyroid gland
What glands lie between the posterior borders of the lobes of the thyroid gland that are concerned with the distribution and metabolism of calcium and phosporous
Parathyoid glands
What glands lie anterior and superior to each kidney, and help regulate mineral concentrations in the body fluids, help deal with stress, produce sex hormones, which affect the development of male and female reproductive organs, and stimulate the “flight or fight” mechanism
Adrenal glands
What glands are responsible for the production of ova in the female and sperm in the male
Gonads
What gland lies behind the stomach, and influences glucose metabolism
Pancreas
What gland lies between the lungs over the heart whose functions are not clear
Thymus gland
Which gland lies behind the third ventricle of the brain but whose functions are not clear
The pineal body
