Hormonal coordination in humans

• What are hormones?

  Chemical messengers produced and carried by the blood to specific organs
• What is the endocrine system made up of?

  Glands that produce and secrete hormones
• What is the function of hormones in the body?

  They regulate the activity of cells or organs
• How do hormones affect the body's growth and metabolism?

  They regulate physical and chemical processes in the body
• How does the bloodstream relate to hormones?

  The bloodstream transports hormones from the glands to the target organs
• What are the differences between the endocrine system and the nervous system in terms of communication?


  • Endocrine system:
  • Uses hormones
  • Slower action
  • Acts for a long period of time
  • Acts in a more general way

  
  

  • Nervous system:
  • Uses electrical impulses and neurotransmitters
  • Faster action
  • Acts for a short period of time
  • Acts on a very precise target area
• What is the speed of action for the endocrine system compared to the nervous system?

  The endocrine system has a slower action than the nervous system
• How long do hormones typically act in the body?

  Hormones act for a long period of time
• How do hormones differ in their target area compared to the nervous system?

  Hormones act in a more general way compared to the precise target area of the nervous system
• What mode of communication does the nervous system use?

  Electrical impulses and neurotransmitters
• What mode of communication does the endocrine system use?

  Hormones transported through the bloodstream
• What system is the pancreas a part of?

  The endocrine system
• What does the pancreas monitor?

  Blood glucose levels
• What type of tissue is the pancreas?

  Glandular tissue
• Which two hormones control blood sugar levels?

  Glucagon and insulin
• Why are blood sugar levels controlled?

  To provide cells with a constant supply of energy
• What does glucagon do when blood sugar is low?

  It breaks down glycogen into glucose
• How does insulin control blood sugar levels?

  By releasing and storing glucose
• What happens to insulin when blood sugar is high?

  It tells the liver to convert glucose into glycogen
• How do glucagon and insulin interact?

  They interact in a negative feedback cycle
• What is diabetes?

  When the body can't control blood sugar levels
• How does insulin help the body?

  It helps convert sugar in the blood into energy
• What determines the amount of insulin produced?

  Your blood sugar levels
• What is Type I diabetes?

  A condition you are born with that develops usually when young
• What is Type 2 diabetes linked to?

  Obesity
• How is Type I diabetes treated?

  By injecting insulin several times a day
• How is Type 2 diabetes usually treated?

  Through diet and exercise
• What is puberty?

  The time when the reproductive system matures
• What triggers the changes during puberty?

  Sex hormones produced by the testes and ovaries
• What is the main female reproductive hormone?

  Oestrogen
• What happens to eggs during puberty?

  They begin to mature in the ovary
• What is the main male reproductive hormone?

  Testosterone
• What is the menstrual cycle?

  A recurring process preparing the uterus for pregnancy
• What does testosterone stimulate?

  Sperm production
• What does FSH stand for?

  Follicle stimulating hormone
• Which glands secrete hormones that control the menstrual cycle?

  The ovaries and pituitary gland
• What does FSH do?

  It causes an egg to mature in an ovary

  Stimulates the ovaries to release the hormone oestrogen
• What does LH do?

  It causes the mature egg to be released from the ovary
• What role does progesterone play in the menstrual cycle?

  It maintains the lining of the uterus
• How does progesterone affect FSH and LH production?

  It stops the pituitary gland from releasing FSH and LH