Download The Endocrine System

The Endocrine
System
Functions:

Controls the conditions in your body
by making and sending chemicals
from one part of the body to another


This is called_____________
Most responses are controlled by the
nervous system
Hormones:
Chemicals that are made in one organ
and travel through the blood to a
second organ
 Second organ (target organ) responds
to the chemical
 Different hormones perform different
jobs

Glands

Main structures of the endocrine
system


Main organs
Produce hormones and release them
into the circulatory system
Pituitary Gland
“Director” of the system
 Produces hormones that control:

Growth
 Sexual development
 Absorption of water into the
blood by the kidneys

Hypothalamus
Attached to the pituitary gland
 Primary connection between nervous
and endocrine systems
 Secretions of the pituitary gland are
controlled here
 Produces releasing hormones

Pineal Gland
Sensitive to different levels of light
 Essential to rhythms such as sleep,
body temperature, reproduction and
aging

Thyroid Gland
Releases hormones for growth and
metabolism
 Stores the thyroid hormone
 Produces calcitonin


Helps regulate calcium in the body
Thymus

Helps body fight disease by
controlling the production of white
blood cells (t-cells)
Adrenal Glands
Secrete 30 different hormones that
regulate carbohydrate, protein and fat
metabolism and water and salt levels
in your body
 Fights allergies and infections
 Produces adrenaline

Makes your heart beat faster
 Relaxes the muscles in the lungs

Pancreas

Secretes 2 hormones
Insulin
 Glucagon

Regulates the level of glucose in your
body
 Diabetes


Type I and Type II
Ovaries and Testes
Secrete hormones that control sexual
development
 Male-Testes
 Female-Ovaries

Other Organs

Kidneys


Secrete hormone that regulates
production of red blood cells
Heart

Produces two hormones that help
regulate blood pressure
Feedback Mechanisms
Used to maintain homeostasis
 Negative Feedback



Final effect of the response is to turn
off the response
Positive Feedback

Increases response due to extreme
circumstances
Hormone Balance Action
One hormone is balanced by the
action of another
 Hormone imbalance can cause
serious disease

Diabetes
 Hypothyroidism
 hyperthyroidism
