Endocrine system

• What is the endocrine system?

  -It works alongside the nervous system to control vital functions.

  -It is made up of glands that release hormones (chemicals) into the blood stream which trigger a response when it reaches a target with a complementary receptor
• What is the master gland?

  The pituitary gland:

  • controls the release of hormones from all of the other endocrine glands in the body
• Describe what happens during the fight or flight response:

  • A stressor is received which causes the hypothalamus to activate the pituitary gland which releases ACTH
  • Which triggers activity in the sympathetic nervous system
  • ANS changes from parasympathetic state to sympathetic
  • Adrenaline is then released from the adrenal medulla (because of ACTH) which causes physiological changes e.g. increased heart rate and breathing
  • Immediate and automatic
  • Once threat has passed the parasympathetic nervous system returns body to resting state