Endocrine system

• Gland

  An organ producing hormone
• Hormone

  A regulatory substance produced in an organism and transported in tissue fluids such as blood or sap to stimulate specific cells or tissue in action
• Pineal

  • releases melatonin

  • responsible for important biological rhythms including the sleep wake cycle

  • Brain
• Hypothalamus

  • stimulates and controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland

  • in the brain
• Pituitary gland

  Sometimes known as the master gland because the hormones released by this gland stimulate the release of hormones from other glands
• Thyroid gland

  • releases thyroxine

  • responsible for regulating metabolism
• Ovaries

  • Releases oestrogen
  • controls the regulation of the female reproductive system including the menstrual cycle and pregnancy
• Testies

  • releases testosterone
  • responsible for the development of male sex characteristics during puberty while also promoting muscle growth
• Adrenal gland (Medulla)

  • releases adrenaline and noradrenaline
  • the key hormone in fight or flight
• Adrenal gland (Cortex)

  • releases cortisol
  • stimulates the release of glucose to provide the body with energy while supressing the immune system
• What are accute stressors

  These are sources of stress which are short-term. They require immediate and high energy responses

  These are often experiences which might threaten our survival and therefore require the bodies complete focus on avoiding injury or death

  Our ancestors might have experienced acute stress in relation to predator attack, attack from other humans or falling or slipping
• The process of Fight or flight

  1) The amygdala registers a threat and sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus

  2) The hypothalamus activates the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system

  3) The sympathetic nervous system sends a signal to the adrenal medulla, which responds by releasing adrenaline

  4) The adrenaline circulates the body in the blood stream, this causes increased heart rate and blood pressure, rapid breathing , the body releases sugars and fats for energy

  5)resulting in a body which is ready to spring into action, in this case running away from the threat