Download Notes: Endocrine System

Endocrine System
EQ: What is the function of the endocrine system? What
are hormones and what do they do? How does the nervous
system function with the endocrine system? How is blood
sugar regulated when it is too low or too high?
The Endocrine system:
- Works very closely with the nervous system to
maintain homeostasis (constant internal environment).
- Controls the release of hormones throughout the body.
 Hormones are chemical messengers
- They are made by and released from one part of your
body (glands).
- Carried by the blood stream (Circulatory System) to
another part of your body (target tissue or organ) to
tell it what to do.
 The specific communication from the nervous system to the
endocrine system:
Nervous System
- The Hypothalamus in the brain receives a stimulus
from outside or inside your body.
- It releases chemicals to the…
Endocrine System
- Pituitary Gland (the master gland)
- It releases many hormones to the blood stream
- Each hormone has specific target tissue.
 Example of N.S. connecting to E.S.
- Hypothalamus detects your cells need more water
(dehydrated)
- Releases chemicals to the pituitary
- Pituitary releases ADH (antidiuretic hormone) to blood
- Target tissue for ADH = kidney
- Tells kidney to absorb water back into body and not
release it into urine.
Gland
Pancreas
Pancreas
Pituitary
Pituitary
Adrenal
gland (top
of kidney)
Thyroid
Ovaries
Testes
Hormone
Target
Tissue
Response
Insulin
Glucagon
Growth
hormone
ADH
epinephrine
All Cells
Liver
All Cells
Lowers blood sugar
Raises blood sugar
Protein synthesis
Kidney
Heart, Lungs,
Muscle
Thyroxine
Estrogen
All Cells
Uterus, breast,
where hair
grows
Testes, vocal
cords, muscle,
where hair
grows
Water balance
Fight or Flight (increase
heart rate, breathing,
and sugar absorption)
Metabolism
Menstrual cycle, sexual
characteristics
Testosterone
Sperm production,
sexual character.
Blood Sugar Negative Feedback Loop
Glucose: blood sugar, main source of energy for your body
Insulin: lowers blood sugar, liver cells take in extra glucose
(monosaccharide) to store as glycogen (polysaccharide).
Glucagon: raises blood sugar by converting glycogen into
glucose.