endocrine

• What is the primary function of the endocrine system?

  To allow body parts to communicate
• How does the endocrine system differ from the nervous system?

  It uses hormones instead of electrical impulses
• What do all glands in the endocrine system secrete?

  Hormones
• What are hormones?

  Small chemical molecules in the blood
• What role do receptors play in the endocrine system?

  They are specific to certain hormones
• What are the main glands in the endocrine system?

  • Pituitary gland
  • Thyroid gland
  • Adrenal glands
  • Pancreas
  • Testes
  • Ovaries
• What is the pituitary gland often called?

  The master gland
• What does the pituitary gland produce?

  Multiple different hormones
• What hormone does the thyroid gland produce?

  Thyroxine
• What does thyroxine regulate?

  The rate of metabolism
• What is thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) responsible for?

  Stimulating the thyroid to produce thyroxine
• What is the process called when thyroxine levels are regulated?

  Negative feedback
• What do adrenal glands produce?

  Adrenaline
• When is adrenaline typically released?

  During the fight-or-flight response
• What is the role of insulin produced by the pancreas?

  Regulating blood glucose concentrations
• What hormone do testes produce?

  Testosterone
• What is the main role of testosterone?

  Controlling puberty in males
• What hormone do ovaries produce?

  Estrogen
• What does estrogen influence?

  Puberty and the menstrual cycle
• What do hormones do in the body?

  Act as signals to trigger changes
• How do the effects of hormones compare to nerve impulses?

  Hormones spread slowly, effects last longer
• How are nerve impulses sent in the nervous system?

  Along nerve cells as electrical impulses
• Why are nerve impulses described as precise?

  They target specific areas in the body
• What are the key differences between the endocrine and nervous systems?

  • Endocrine: uses hormones, slower, longer-lasting effects
  • Nervous: uses electrical impulses, faster, shorter effects