the endocrine system

• what is the endocrine system?

  works with the nervous system to control vital functions in the body through the secretion of hormones
• is the endocrine system quicker or slower than the nervous system?

  slower but has widespread, long lasting effects
• how does it deliver hormones to target sites in body?

  through blood vessels
• what are glands?


  glands are organs that produce and secrete hormones
• what are the main glands?

  pituitary, adrenal and reproductive (ovaries and testes)
• what are hormones?


  chemical messengers secreted in the bloodstream

  they have a specific receptor for a particular hormone
• what does the hypothalamus do?

  stimulates and controls the release of hormones from the pituitary gland
• what is the pituitary gland?

  - master gland

  - in brain

  - controls release of all other hormones
• what does the pineal gland release?

  melatonin which regulates sleep
• what does the thyroid gland produce?

  thyroxine which affects growth rates
• what does the adrenal gland release?

  adrenaline for fight or flight response
• what is the adrenal gland split up into?

  adrenal medulla- releases adrenaline and noradrenaline for fight or flight

  adrenal cortex- releases cortisol stimulates glucose release to provide body with energy
• what do ovaries release?

  oestrogen regualting reproductive system
• what do testes release?

  testosterone