The Endocrine System

• Homeostasis


  The way in which the body balances its internal environment, controlled by the hypothalamus.
• Negative Feedback


  A mechanism where a change reverses the original change back to normal.
• Hormone 


  Chemical messenger that travels around the body to a target organ.
• Glucose 


  A type of sugar used by the body to release energy.
• Pancreas


  Organ that releases hormones to regulate glucose levels.
• Liver 


  Target organ of hormones released by the pancreas which can store and release excess glucose.
• Insulin 


  Hormone that lowers blood glucose levels.
• Glycogen


  Stored form of glucose in the liver.
• Glucagon


  Hormone that increases blood glucose levels.
• Diabetes


  A condition where blood sugar levels are not controlled.
• Type 1 diabetes


  Pancreas doesn't produce any insulin. Injections are taken to manage this type of diabetes.
• Type 2 diabetes


  Insulin is not recognised by the cells in the body. Exercise and a controlled diet manages this type of diabetes.
• Oestrogen


  Produced by the developing follicle (egg cell) and helps thicken the uterus lining.
• Progesterone


  Produced by the corpus luteum (ruptured egg follicle) and helps to maintain the uterus lining.
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)


  Released by the pituitary gland and causes the follicle to mature and develop.
• Luteinising Hormone (LH)


  Released by the pituitary gland and stimulates the process of ovulation.
• Thyroid Gland


  Produces thyroxine, controls metabolism
• Pancreas


  Produces insulin, lowers blood glucose levels.
• Testes


  Produce testosterone, causes development and puberty in males.
• Pituitary Gland


  The 'master gland', at the base of the brain and releases anti diuretic hormone (ADH)
• Adrenal Glands


  Produces adrenaline, speeds up heart rate
• Ovaries


  Produce oestrogen, causes development and puberty in females.
• To little blood glucose

  • Short term: hunger, headache, sweating and heart palpitations
  • Long Term: Death
• Too much blood glucose

  • Short Term: Tiredness, Thirsty, Struggling to breathe.
  • Long Term: Diabetes (can lead to damaged kidneys and eyes and can risk stroke and heart attack).