Endocrine System & Hormones #59

• What is the primary function of the endocrine system?

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

  Both allow body communication but differ in methods
• What do all glands in the endocrine system secrete?

  Hormones
• What are hormones?

  Small chemical molecules in the blood
• What is the role of hormone receptors in tissues?

  They allow hormones to trigger cell changes
• 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 is the function of thyroxine produced by the thyroid gland?

  Regulates metabolism and growth
• What triggers the release of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)?

  Low levels of thyroxine detected
• What is the feedback process involving thyroxine called?

  Negative feedback
• What do adrenal glands produce during the fight-or-flight response?

  Adrenaline
• What effect does adrenaline have on the body?

  Increases heart rate and blood flow
• What hormone does the pancreas produce?

  Insulin
• What is the role of insulin?

  Regulates blood glucose concentrations
• What hormones do the testes produce?

  Testosterone
• What is the main role of testosterone?

  Controls puberty in males
• What hormones do the ovaries produce?

  Estrogen
• What is the main role of estrogen?

  Influences puberty and menstrual cycle
• How does the endocrine system differ from the nervous system?

  • Endocrine: relies on hormones in blood
  • Nervous: relies on electrical impulses
  • Hormones spread slowly, last longer
  • Nerve impulses are fast, short-lived
  • Hormones act generally, affecting many cells
  • Nerve impulses target specific areas
• Why do hormones spread more slowly than nerve impulses?

  They travel through the bloodstream
• What is the duration of effects from nerve impulses?

  Often less than a second
• How are nerve impulses described in terms of precision?

  As being precise
• What is the primary role of the endocrine system?

  To facilitate communication between body parts