Endocrines and glands

• Endocrine glands:

  • glands within endocrine system that release the hormones that regulate cell and organ activity 
• Endocrine system:

  • network of glands that manufacture and secrete hormones
• Hormones:

  • body's chemical messengers, travelling via bloodstream. Influence mood, stress, mother infant bonding etc
• • Hypothalamus controls pituitary, which releases hormones to influence other glands
• • Anterior pituitary releases ACTH to help adrenal glands produce cortisol when stressed. Also releases LH and FSH to make ovaries produce oestrogen and progesterone and testes to make testosterone
• • Posterior pituitary releases oxytocin, to stimulate contractions during childbirth
• Adrenal cortex produces cortisol and aldosterone (maintains blood volume and pressure)
• • Adrenal medulla releases adrenaline (increases heart rate, blood flow, ect) and noradrenaline (constricts blood vessels, increases blood pressure)