Endocrine System

• Endocrine System

  • Collection of glands that produce hormone through the bloodstream
  • Affects almost every organ and cell in the body.
• Pituitary Gland

  • regulates many of the body's functions
  • made up of Anterior and Posterior - they produce a number of different hormones which act on different target cells.
• Anterior Pituitary

  Hormones created here:

  
  

  - Adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH)

  - Growth Hormone (GH)

  - Luteinising Hormone (LH)

  - Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
• Posterior Pituitary

  Hormones created here:

  
  

  - Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

  - Oxytocin
• ACTH (Adrenocorticotrophin)


  Targets: The Adrenals

  
  

  Function: Stimulates the adrenal gland to produce a hormone called cortisol.
• GH (Growth Hormone)

  Targets: All cells in the body

  
  

  Function: Stimulates growth and repair.
• ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone)

  Targets: Kidneys

  
  

  Function: Controls the blood fluid and mineral levels in the body by affecting water retention by the kidneys.
• Oxytocin

  Targets: Uterus and Breasts

  
  

  Function: Affects uterine contractions in pregnancy and birth and subsequent release of breast milk
• Adrenal Gland


  • releases hormones to deal with stress.
  • made of two parts: Cortex and Medulla - they produce a number of different hormones which act on different target cells.
• Adrenal Cortex

  Hormones created here:

  
  

  - Cortisol

  - Aldosterone
• Adrenal Medulla

  Hormones created here:

  
  

  - Adrenaline

  - Noradrenaline
• Cortisol (in Adrenal Cortex)

  Often called 'stress hormone'

  Influences, regulates and coordinates many of the changes that occur in the body in response to stress
• Aldosterone (in Adrenal Cortex)

  Maintains blood volume and pressure
• Adrenaline (in Adrenal Medulla)

  Equips you to respond to stress and fight or flight response through:

  - increasing heart rate

  - increasing blood flow to vital organs (e.g. heart)

  - rapid breathing

  - secretion of sweat

  - releasing glucose
• Noradrenaline (in Adrenal Medulla)

  Increases blood pressure by constricting blood vessels.
• Reproductive Organs

  A system of sex organs which work together for the purpose of sexual reproduction.
• Male Reproductive Glands

  Produce testosterone in the testes
• Female Reproductive Glands

  Produce eggs, oestrogen and progesterone in ovaries.
• Testosterone

  • Responsible for the development of male sex organs, sex drive, sperm production etc.
• Oestrogen

  Responsible for development at puberty - stimulates breast growth and laying down fatty deposits
• Progesterone

  Responsible and necessary for the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus and for maintaining pregnancy