Endocrine glands

• Endocrine system


  The system of chemical signaling in the body using the various hormones
• Hormones

  Chemical molecules that are secreted into the extra cellular fluid, circulate in the blood and haemolymph, and communicate regulatory messages throughout the body
• Hormones


  • They are receptor specific
  • They react differently with different receptors
  • They do not catalyse any reaction
  • They are secreted by endocrine or neurosecretory cells
• Hormones usually cause long-term effects like change in behavior, growth etc.
• Functions of hormones

  Maintain homeostasis, mediate responses to environmental stimuli, and regulate growth, development and reproduction
• Glands and their hormones

  • Pineal - Melatonin
  • Hypothalamus - Thyrotopin releasing hormone, Growth hormone releasing hormone, Growth hormone Inhibiting hormone, Gonadotropin releasing hormone, Corticotropin releasing hormone, Vasopressin, Oxytocin, Dopamine
  • Stomach - Gastrin, Ghrelin
  • Pancreas - Insulin, Glucagon, Somatostatin
  • Thyroid - Thyroxine, Triiodothyronine, Calcitonin
  • Parathyroid - Parathyroid hormone
  • Pituitary - Growth hormone, Thyroid stimulating hormone, Follicle stimulating hormone, Luteinising hormone
  • Adrenal - Cortisol, Aldosterone, Adrenalin/Epinephrine, Non adrenalin/non epinephrine, Dopamine
  • Liver - Insulin-like growth factor
  • Adipose tissue - Leptin
  • Kidney - Renin, Erythropoietin
  • Ovary - Progesterone, Estrogen
  • Testes - Androgen
  • Placenta and Uterus - Progesterone, Chorionic gonadotropin, Prolactin
  • Thymus - Thymusin