Exocrine glands – examples are sudoriferous (sweat), sebaceous (oil), mucous and digestive glands. These secretes substances into ducts that carry substances into cavities or to outer surface of the body.
Endocrine glands – secretes hormones into extracellular space around their cell which is diffused into capillaries and transported by blood to target cells throughout the body
functions of the endocrine system
Growth
Development
Reproduction
Metabolism
Homeostasis
Apoptosis
types of hormones
Sex hormones and adrenal cortex hormones = synthesized from steroid hormones
Insulin and oxytocin = synthesized from amino acids
Hormone secretion is controlled by neural stimulation, chemical changes in blood and release of other hormones
Some hormones also act as neurotransmitters e.g. norepinephrine
Initiated by the hypothalamus and stimulates the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response) and the endocrine system (hormones from the anterior pituitary gland).
Effects of long-term stress – especially caused by cortisol:
HTN
Hyperglycemia
Wasting of muscles
Suppression of immune system
What are the small patches in the pancreas called?