Download The Endocrine System!

Divisions of the Nervous System
Autonomic Nervous System
Sympathetic NS
“Arouses”
(fight-or-flight)
Parasympathetic NS
“Calms”
(rest and digest)
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The Endocrine System!
The Endocrine System
Hormones
4
Neurotransmitters
Endocrine System is
the body’s “slow”
chemical
communication
system.
Communication is
carried out by
hormones
synthesized by a set
of glands.
The Endocrine System
How Hormones Affect Your Behavior
 Growth of bodily structures such as muscles and bones,




differences between males and females
Metabolism
Energy levels
Preparing the body for stressful situations
Mood
The Endocrine Glands
 Pituitary Gland
 “Master Gland”
 Located near the midbrain
 Controlled by the hypothalamus
 Secretes hormones which control the output of hormones by
other endocrine glands
 Monitors hormone levels to prevent imbalances
The Endocrine Glands
 Thyroid Gland
 Located in the neck
 Secretes thyroxine
Thyroid Gland Abnormalities
 Hypothyroidism: too little thyroxine
 Hyperthyroidism: too much thyroxine
 Thyroid Cancer
 Goiter
The Endocrine Glands
 Thymus Gland
 Involved in immunity
 Adrenal Glands
 Become active when a person is angry or frightened
 Norepinephrine
 Epinephrine
The Endocrine Glands
 Pancreas
 Regulates sugar metabolism and makes insulin
 Diabetes caused by too much insulin or too little insulin
The Endocrine Glands
 Sex Glands
 Ovaries (estrogen/progesterone)
 Testes (testosterone)
Hormones v. Neurotransmitters
 When a chemical is released as a neurotransmitter, it is
released right beside the cell that it is to excite or inhibit
 When a chemical is used as a hormone, it is released into the
blood, which diffuses it throughout the body.
 Neural messages can be measured in thousandths of a second
 Hormones may take minutes to reach their destination, and
weeks or months to have their total effect.
Scenario 1
 You suddenly realize that a scary man is chasing you, trying
to harm you. Explain what happens in your body from the
moment you see the man until you are finally in a safe place.
Use what you know about the neurons, the nervous system,
and the endocrine system, using as many vocabulary terms as
possible.
Scenario 2
 Teresa has just joined the track and field team at school.
Practice begins right after school, and Teresa’s usual habit is
to have a big PB&J sandwich as soon as school is over.
According to what you know about the autonomic nervous
system, should Teresa continue with this habit and eat just
before going to practice? Why or why not?
Scenario 3
 Zaine’s mother practice yoga, and she often encourages Zaine
to join her. On the day of exams, Zaine usually awakens
feeling anxious. By the time he gets to school, his mouth is
dry, his hands are sweaty, and he has the sensation that he
needs to urinate, although his bladder isn’t full. Zaine’s mom
advises him to practice yoga before going to school on those
mornings. Given what you know about yoga and the
autonomic nervous system, is this good advice? Why or why
not.