Endocrine system

• The hypothalamus is connected to the pituitary gland and is responsible for stimulating or controlling the release of hormones from the pituitary gland. Therefore, the hypothalamus is the control system which regulates the endocrine system.
• The pituitary gland is sometimes known as the master gland because the hormones released by the pituitary gland control and stimulate the release of hormones form other glands in the endocrine system.
• The pituitary gland is also divided into the anterior (front) and posterior (rear) lobes which release different hormones
• What key hormone is released by the posterior lobe?


  Oxytocin
• What is oxytocin responsible for?

  Uterus contractions during childbirth
• What key hormone is released from the anterior lobe?

  Adrenocortical trophic hormone (ACTH)
• What does ACTH do?

  Stimulates the adrenal cortex and the release of cortisol during the stress response
• What is the main hormone released by the pineal gland?

  Melatonin
• What does melatonin do?

  Responsible for important biological rhythms such as the sleep cycle
• The thyroid gland releases thyroxine which is responsible for regulating metabolism.
• People who have a fast metabolism typically struggle to put on weight as metabolism is involved in the chemical process of converting food into energy
• What can the adrenal gland be divided into?

  Adrenal medulla and adrenal cortex
• What is the adrenal medulla responsible for?

  Releasing adrenaline which plays a key role in the fight or flight response
• What does the adrenal cortex do?

  Releases cortisol
• What does cortisol do?

  Stimulates release of glucose to provide the body with energy while suppressing the immune system
• In males, testes release testosterone which is responsible for the development of male sex characteristic during puberty while also promoting muscle growth
• In females, the ovaries release oestrogen which controls the regulation of the female reproductive system