The Endocrine System

• What are hormones?

  Chemical messengers
• How are hormones transported around the body?

  In the blood
• What is the name for the particular organs which hormones affect?

  Target organs
• What do hormones control?

  Things which need constant adjustment
• What produces hormones?


  Glands
• Do hormones have long-lasting or short-lasting effects?

  Long-lasting
• What glands make up the endocrine system?

  • Pituitary gland
  • Thyroid
  • Adrenal glands
  • Pancreas
  • Ovaries
  • Testes
• What gland is referred to as the master gland?

  The pituitary gland
• What do the hormones released by the pituitary gland do?

  Act on other glands to release hormones
• What does the thyroid produce?

  Thyroxine
• What does thyroxine do?

  Regulates the rate of metabolism, heart rate and temperature
• What do the ovaries produce?

  Oestrogen
• What do the testes produce?

  Testosterone
• What do the adrenal glands produce?

  Adrenaline
• What does adrenaline do?

  Prepares the body for a fight or flight response
• What does the pancreas produce?

  Insulin
• What does insulin do?

  Regulates blood glucose level
• What are nerve reactions like?

  • Fast acting
  • Short-lasting
  • Act on a precise area
• What are hormone reactions like?

  • Slow acting
  • Long-lasting
  • Act in a general area