Endocrine System

• What system allows different parts of the body to communicate?

  Endocrine system
• How does the endocrine system compare to the nervous system?

  Both allow body communication, but differ in mechanisms
• What is the primary function of the endocrine system?

  • Communication between body parts
  • Hormone secretion by glands
  • Regulation of various body functions
• What do glands in the endocrine system secrete?

  Hormones
• What are hormones?

  Small chemical molecules passed into the blood
• What do hormone molecules act as?

  Signals to trigger changes inside cells
• What are the main glands in the endocrine system?

  • Pituitary gland
  • Thyroid gland
  • Adrenal glands
  • Pancreas
  • Testes
  • Ovaries
• What is the pituitary gland often called?

  Master gland
• What does the pituitary gland produce?

  Multiple different hormones
• What is the role of the thyroid gland?

  Produces thyroxine for metabolism and growth
• What does thyroxine regulate?

  Rate of metabolism and growth
• What is thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)?

  Hormone that stimulates thyroid to produce thyroxine
• What happens when thyroxine levels are low?

  TSH is released to stimulate thyroxine production
• What is negative feedback in the endocrine system?

  Process that regulates hormone levels back to normal
• What do adrenal glands produce?

  Adrenaline
• When is adrenaline released?

  During the fight-or-flight response
• What effects does adrenaline have on the body?

  Increases heart rate and blood flow
• What hormone does the pancreas produce?

  Insulin
• What does insulin regulate?

  Blood glucose concentrations
• What do testes produce?

  Testosterone
• What is the role of testosterone?

  Controls puberty and produces sperm
• What do ovaries produce?

  Estrogen
• What is the role of estrogen?

  Influences puberty and menstrual cycle
• How does the endocrine system differ from the nervous system?

  Endocrine uses hormones; nervous uses impulses
• How do hormones spread through the body?

  They are transported in the blood
• What is the speed and duration of hormone effects?

  Spread slowly; effects last longer
• How do nerve impulses differ from hormones?

  Nerve impulses are fast and precise
• What is the specificity of nerve impulses?

  Sent to one specific area
• What are the key differences between the endocrine and nervous systems?

  • Endocrine: uses hormones, slower, longer-lasting effects
  • Nervous: uses electrical impulses, faster, shorter-lasting effects
  • Endocrine: general effects on many cells
  • Nervous: precise effects on specific areas