Endocrine System

• Thyroid produces hormones involved in regulating things like the rate of metabolism and heart rate
• If a response is quick, it's probably nervous; if it's for a long time, it's probably hormonal
• Pituitary gland produces hormones that regulate body conditions and is sometimes called the master gland
• Pancreas produces insulin used to regulate blood glucose levels
• Ovaries in females produce estrogen involved in the menstrual cycle
• Endocrine System

  1. Way to send information around the body using hormones sent in the blood

  2. Hormones are chemical messengers sent in the blood

  3. Hormones control things in organs and cells that need constant adjustment

  4. Hormones are produced and secreted by various glands called endocrine glands

  5. Hormones tend to have relatively long-lasting effects
• Testes in males produce testosterone
• Hormones control various organs and cells in the body, though they tend to be life-threatening
• Hormones and nerves have differences
• Differences between Nerves and Hormones

  • Nerves: Very fast action, act for a short time, act on a precise area
  • Hormones: Slower action, act for a long time, act in a more general way
• Organs produced by the Endocrine System

  • Thyroid
  • Adrenal Gland
  • Pancreas
• Pituitary gland directs other glands to release hormones that bring about changes
• Adrenal Gland produces adrenaline used to prepare the body for a fight or flight response