The endocrine system

• The endocrine system

  Glands and hormones

  The endocrine system works alongside the nervous system to control vital functions in the body– acts slower but has widespread and powerful effects. Glands (e.g., thyroid gland) produce hormones, which are secreted into the bloodstream and affect any cell that has a receptor for that hormone. E.g., Thyroid produces thyroxine, which affects cells in the heart (increases heart rate) and effects cells throughout body increasing metabolic rates (chemical processes in cells), which in turn affects growth rates.
• The endocrine system 2

  Glands and hormones 2

  Master gland = Pituitary gland (located in the brain) - controls release of hormones from all other endocrine glands in the body.
• The endocrine system 3

  Endocrine and ANS working together: Fight or flight

  When a stressor is perceived, the hypothalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, which changes from its normal resting state (parasympathetic state) to the physiologically aroused, sympathetic state. The stress hormone adrenaline is released from the adrenal medulla into the bloodstream– triggers physiological changes (e.g., increased heartrate) and creates physiological arousal necessary for the fight-or-flight response.
• The endocrine system 4

  Endocrine and ANS working together: Fight or flight 2

  Once the threat has passed, the parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to its resting state (rest and digest response).