The endocrine system definitions

Hormones

organic chemical messengers that are carried in the blood. most hormones are proteins but some are steroids (lipid - like organic compounds)

endocrine system

made up of a group of glands that produce hormones

Chemical coordination

using hormones to send a message from 1 part of the body to another. controlled by the nervous system

target organ

an organ that is affected by a specific hormone. the target organ has receptors for this specific hormone, allowing it to respond to the hormone.

endocrine glands

release secretions directly into the bloodstream to be carried to the target organ. capillaries around endocrine gland

exocrine gland

releases secretions via ducts, which carry them directly to the target organ or to outside of the body

negative feedback

if there is too much or too little hormone present for the body to function normally, this will cause changes to occur that will bring the hormone levels back to normal. this will ensure that a balance is always maintained in the body

Homeostasis

mechanism that maintains a stable/constant internal environment in the body, despite changes in the external environment

Glands in pituitary gland

1. Anterior lobe 2. Posterior lobe

anterior lobe

makes and secretes hormones

growth hormone

hormone secreted by anterior lobe of pituitary gland travels in blood and that controls growth of bones and muscles.

Prolactin

hormone secreted by anterior lobe of pituitary gland travels in blood to mammary glands and stimulates the production of milk

thyroid stumulating hormone

(TSH). hormone secreted by anterior lobe of pituitary gland travels in blood to thyroid gland to stimulate thyroid to produce thyroxin

Follicle - stimulating hormone

(FSH). hormone secreted by anterior lobe of pituitary gland travels through the blood to: - in females: ovaries to stimulate ovaries to produce eggs and oestrogen - in males: testes to stimulate testes to produce sperm

luteinising hormone

(LH). hormone secreted by anterior lobe of pituitary gland. controls the secretion of sex hormones

LH in females

travels in blood to the over to stimulate the ovary to produce oestrogen and progesterone

LH in males

travels in blood to testes to stimulate the testes to produce testosterone

posterior lobe

does not MAKE any hormones but relases hormones that are made by the hypothalamus

antidiuretic hormone

(ADH). hormone secreted by the posterior lobe of pituitary gland travels in blood to kidney. regulates the amount of urine produced, by controlling the amount of water absorbed back into the blood by the collecting ducts of the kidney

oxytocin

A hormone released by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland travels in the blood to the uterus. stimulates the uterus to contract during labor

Dwarfism

under-secretion of GH in children. the body is short, with body parts in proportion

Gigantism

over-secretion of GH in children. the body is larger than normal

acromegaly

over-secretion of GH in adults . body of the adult will continually grow resulting in large facial bones, large hands and large feet

problems associated with pituitary gland

1. dwarfism 2. gigantism 3. acromegaly

where is the pituitary gland situated?

at the base of the brain. connected to the hypothalamus by a short stalk

where is the thyroid gland situated

across the trachea, below the larynx in front of the next

thyroid gland function

produces thyroxine hormone which controls metabolic rate and regulates growth and development of the body. thyroxine can only be made if iodine is present

Hypothyroidism

under-secretion of thyroxin. metabolic rate is low

cretinsim

hypothyroidism in children. results in reduced growth and development of the whole body

myxoedema

hypothyroidism in adults. resulting in thick skin in hands and feet. tongue is thick so person speaks slowly. slow mental and physical activities. weight gain

Hyperthyroidism

over secretion of thyroxin. causes Graves disease. metabolic rate increases and person loses weight quickly. hyperactive, high blood pressure, heart rate problems. buldging eyes (exophthalmia). can remove part of thyroid gland to fix the problem

Goitre

lack of iodine in body can cause thyroid gland to become enlarged and neck becomes swollen

Pancreas

- endocrine and exocrine gland - contains endocrine cells called Islets of Langerhans that secrete insulin and glucagon

islets or Langerhans

1. Alpha cells : secrete glucagon hormone 2. Beta cells : secrete insulin hormoneblood carries hormones to liver where hormones stimulate conversions

insulin

1. stimulates body cells to absorb glucose from blood and convert to energy (cellular respiration)2. converts excess glucose into glycogen (stored in liver and muscles)3. converts excess glucose into glycogen (stored in adipose tissue)insulin LOWERS glucose levels in the blood

Glucagon

converts glycogen in the liver into glucose glucagon raises the glucose levels in the blood

problems associated with the pancreas

1. Hyperglycaemia 2. Diabetes mellitus

hyperglycemia

too little insulin in blood resulting in high blood glucose levels. the body cells cannot use the excess glucose and the cells get damaged

diabetes mellitus

islets of langerhans don't produce enough insulin - diabetic. excess glucose in urine

adrenal glands

- 1 above each kidney - made up of two parts 1. adrenal cortex (outer)2. adrenal medulla (inner)

adrenal cortex

secrets aldosterone

adrenal medulla

secretes adrenalin

aldosterone

controls salt content (sodium ions) in the body and this allows water regulation to occur in the collecting ducts in the kidney

adrenalin

controls blood circulation and carbohydrate metabolism

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