The Endocrine System (4)

• What type of system is the endocrine system?

  Chemical (hormonal) system.
• What is the function of exocrine glands?

  They release their products into ducts.
• What are endocrine glands?

  Endocrine glands are ductless glands.
• What is a hormone?

  A chemical messenger produced by an endocrine gland and carried in the bloodstream to another part of the body where it has a specific effect.
• What are most hormones made from?

  Protein.
• What are the characteristics of the endocrine system?

  The type of message is chemical, the speed of message is slow, and the speed of action is slow-acting.
• What are the characteristics of the nervous system?

  The type of message is electrical, the speed of message is fast and the speed of action is fast-acting.
• Where is the pituitary gland found?

  It's found at the base of the brain, below the hypothalamus.
• What is a portal system?

  A system that begins and ends in capillaries.
• Which hormones does the pituitary gland release?

  Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and growth hormone (GH).
• What condition is associated with excess growth hormone?

  Gigantism.
• What causes excess growth hormone?

  Often, a tumour.
• What causes a tumour?

  A tumour occurs when cells lose the ability to control the rate of mitosis.
• What health problems can gigantism cause?

  Makes circulation difficult + back pain.
• How is gigantism treated?


  Surgery.
• What is the cause of 'Deficiency of Growth Hormone'?


  Too little growth hormone (GH) being produced.
• What condition can occur due to a deficiency in growth hormone?

  Pituitary dwarfism.
• What is the function of the pineal gland?


  Secretes melatonin.
• What is the function of melatonin?

  Helps to control sleep patterns.
• Where is the pineal gland found?

  In the centre of the brain.
• What type of gland is the pancreas know as?

  A dual function gland.
• What is a dual function gland?

  Both an endocrine and exocrine gland.
• What is the function of the Islets of Langerhans?

  They are a special group of cells that create insulin.
• What is the function of insulin?

  It control blood glucose levels.
• What is the exocrine function of the pancreas?

  Produce enzymes.
• Where are the adrenal glands found?

  At the top of the kidneys.
• What is the function of the adrenal glands?

  Produce the hormone: adrenaline.
• What is the function of the testes?

  Produce testosterone.
• What is testosterone responsible for?

  The sexual characteristics in males.
• What is the function of the ovaries?

  The ovaries produce the hormones: oestrogen and progesterone.
• What is oestrogen and progesterone responsible for?

  Responsible for the sexual characteristics in females.
• Give 2 named examples of enzymes produced in the pancreatic exocrine glands.

  Pancreatic enzyme and pancreatic lipaise.
• What is the funciton of pancreatic amylase?

  Turns starch into maltose.
• What is the function of pancreatic lipaise?

  Turns lipids into glycerol and fatty acids.
• What is the function of adrenaline?

  Fight or flight.
• Where is the thyroid gland found?

  Found in the neck in front of the larynx.
• What is the function of the thyroid gland?

  To produce the hormone: thyroxine.
• What is the function of thyroxine?

  To control metabolism.
• What is metabolism?

  The sum of all chemical reactions in the body.
• What symptoms are associated with a deficiency in thyroxine?

  Tiredness and weight gain.