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• The endocrine system coordinates with the nervous system in all the activities of the different body cells.
• The chief function of the endocrine system is to secrete hormones that control activities like metabolism, reproduction, growth, and development.
• Hormones are organic substances released by the glands of the endocrine system directly into the bloodstream.
• The major endocrine glands in the body are the Hypothalamus, Pituitary gland, Thyroid gland, Parathyroid gland, Pancreas, Adrenal glands (medulla), Adrenal glands (cortex), Gonads (testes), and Gonads (ovaries).
• Gland: Hypothalamus
• Hormone: Oxytocin
• Type: peptide
• Function: moves to posterior pituitary gland for storage.
• Gland: Pituitary gland (posterior)
• Function: a) initiates labor in pregnant women b) initiates milk ejection reflex.
• Hormone: antidiuretic hormone
• Function: stimulates water reabsorption by kidneys.
• The Pancreas releases insulin, a peptide that reduces blood sugar levels by increasing glucose uptake.
• The Adrenal glands (medulla) release Epinephrine and Norepinephrine, which are proteins that increase blood sugar levels, regulate blood pressure, increase heart rate and cause blood diversion.
• The Gonads (testes) release Androgen testosterone, a steroid that affects reproductive maturation and sperm production.
• The Thyroid gland hormone, Calcitonin, regulates calcium levels through uptake by bone.
• The Pituitary gland (anterior) stimulates the release of triiodothyronine and thyroxine.
• Gland: Pituitary gland (anterior)
• The Parathyroid gland releases Parathyroid hormone (PTH), which increases blood calcium levels through action on bone, kidneys and intestines.
• The Gonads (ovaries) release Estrogen and Progesterone, which are steroids that affect reproductive maturation and regulation of the menstrual cycle.
• The Pancreas also releases Glucagon, a peptide that increases blood sugar levels.
• The Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) promotes the release of glucocorticoids and androgens from the adrenal cortex.
• The Thyroid gland releases triiodothyronine (T 3 ) and thyroxine (T 4 ), which are amides.
• The Adrenal glands (cortex) release Glucocorticoids, which are steroids that maintain blood volume and pressure, and regulate sodium and water retention by the kidneys.
• Hormone: growth hormone
• Type: protein
• Function: stimulates body growth.
• Hormone: prolactin
• Function: a) Promotes lactation b) Promotes sperm production.
• Hormone: Follicle - stimulating hormone (FSH)
• Type: glyco protein
• Function: a) stimulates follicle maturation and production of estrogen b) stimulates sperm production.
• Starch is digested to glucose, Insulin is released, excess glucose are converted to glycogen, glycogen is stored in liver and muscle, glycogen is converted to glucose as source of energy via exercise or other physical activities, glycogen is transformed to fats and stored in adipose cells.
• Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates glucose levels in the blood or prevents glucose from rising to dangerous levels.
• High Glycemic index foods tend to raise blood sugar higher, faster and for a longer period of time, while Low Glycemic index foods tend to raise blood sugar in a slower and controlled manner by regulating the secretion of insulin into the blood stream.
• The negative feedback mechanism involves the endocrine glands sending information back and forth within itself in order to control or regulate the amount of hormone it produces.
• The Fight-or-Flight Response involves the hormone Corticotropin-Releasing Factor and the hormone Adrenocorticotropic Hormone.
• Endocrine Disorders can be caused by overproduction or underproduction of a hormone, known as hormonal imbalance, or by the development of an injury or tumor in the endocrine gland.
• Diabetes, Gigantism, Dwarfism, Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism are examples of Endocrine Disorders caused by hormonal imbalance.
• The Thymus gland produces the hormone Thymosin, which is a type of peptide and functions in the development of T lymphocytes.