the endocrine system

• the endocrine system

  -a major information system that instructs glands to release hormones into the bloodstream
• hormones

  -affect any cell in the body that has a receptor for that hormone, have powerful impacts

  -the key endocrine gland: pituitary gland - called the 'master gland'
• glands & hormones

  -glands produce hormones

  -hormones = chemical messengers in the body, tell the body to do certain functions by going through the bloodstream

  -hormones do not cause behaviour, only alter the probability of a behaviour happening (influence behaviour)
• what the endocrine system is built of

  -pineal gland: releases melatonin - responsible for biological rhythms e.g., sleep-wake cycle

  -hypothalamus: stimulates & controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland

  -thyroid gland: releases thyroxine - regulates metabolism

  -pituitary gland: hormones released control & stimulate the release of hormones from other glands
• fight or flight

  1. stressor is perceived

  2. hypothalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the ANS

  3. ANS changes from parasympathetic to sympathetic

  4. adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla

  5. adrenaline triggers a physiological change

  6. returns to parasympathetic