Endocrine System

• Thymosin - secretes hormones during childhood that cause T cells to become immunocompetent, fully developing and learning to recognize specific antigens
• Thyroxine T4 - regulates metabolism by increasing the rate of cell respiration.
• Underactive thyroxine causes weight gain, sluggishness, and hypothyroidism.
• Overactive thyroxine causes hyperthyroidism, weight loss, and fatigue
• Adrenaline - increases blood flow to muscles in response to acute stress (Fight or flight)
• Cortisol - influences blood sugar level and the metabolism of fat and protein in response to chronic stress
• Insulin - reduce blood glucose levels by signaling the liver to convert glucose to glycogen and by signaling cells to increase glucose uptake
• Glucogen - increases blood glucose levels by signaling the liver to convert glycogen to glucose
• Estrogen/progesterone - develop and maintain female sexual traits, and maintain pregnancy
• Testosterone - stimulates development of secondary sexual characteristics after puberty
• Pituitary gland - " The master gland" located in the brain
• Antidiuretic Hormone - regulates water reabsorption in the kidneys in response to the body's state of hydration. A decrease in the concentration of water in the blood stimulates secretion of ADH.
• ADH causes an increase in water reabsorption, decreasing urine production by the kidneys
• GH stimulates growth in childhood.
• For adults, it is important for maintaining muscle mass and bone mass
• Growth Hormone = GH
• GH also affects fat distribution in body