ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

AND
ADOLESCENCE
 Hormone is a chemical substance secreted by
an endocrine gland,which is directly poured into
the blood stream and acts on a target organ or
cell.
 THYROID GLAND
● Bilobed gland situated on either side of the wind pipe,just below the larynx.
● Thyroxine (iodine containing protein)
● Function:- Speeds up the rate of most of the activities of the body.
● Stimulates growth in infants.
Insufficient secretion of thyroxine
1.Simple goitre:-caused due to enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Appears as a swelling in the neck.

It occurs due to insufficient iodine in our daily food.

2.Cretinism:- abnormal development in an infant.

Results in both physical and mental retardation.

3.Myxoedema :- insufficient amount of thyroxine production in

adults.

General sluggishness,with swelling on the face and hands.

Use of iodised salt in the food is recommended.

 Oversecretion of thyroxine
● Increased metabolic rate
● Increased heart beat
● Weight loss
● General restlessness
 ADRENAL GLANDS
● Location:- like caps over the kidneys.
● Structure :- Each gland consists of two parts- a central
medulla and a peripheral cortex.
● Function :- Adrenal Medulla secretes
adrenaline(epinephrine/emergency hormone)
● Secreted during physical or emotional stress.
● „Fight or flight hormone‟
● It provides extra energy and strength to the body in any
adverse situation.
● Increased heart beat and rate of respiration
accompanied with with a rise in blood pressure,increase
in blood supply to the muscles and release of more
glucose into the blood by the liver
● The adrenal cortex secretes many hormones, but the well known hormone is
cortisone.
● The cortical hormones influence carbohydrate,fat and protein metabolism.
● They regulate the salt and water balance in the body.
● They adapt the body to “stresses” such as extreme heat,cold,infections,etc.
 PANCREAS

Location:- Behind the stomach

Structure:- Although it is main digestive gland,it has a cluster

of hormone secreting cells called Islets of Langerhans

Function:- They secrete two principal hormones-insulin and

glucagon

Insulin lowers glucose from the bloodstream in three ways:

i) Converts extra glucose to glycogen which is ultimately

stored in the liver and muscles.

ii)Induces the cells to burn extra glucose to produce heat and

energy for the body.

iii) causes the cells to convert extra glucose into fat.

● Insufficient secretion of insulin causes diabetes(diabetes mellitus)-high
concentration of blood sugar level.
● More urination(urine loaded with sugar)
● More thirst( due to loss of water and more urination)
● Weight loss(tends to become weak)
● Over Secretion is harmful and may have serious consequences.
● Glucagon- stimulates the breakdown of glycogen in the liver to glucose.it raises
the blood sugar level.
 PITUITARY GLAND
● Location:- pea sized gland located below the brain.
● It secretes several hormones,some of which regulate the activity of other endocrine
glands,So the pituitary gland is also called the master gland.

Hormone Function

Growth hormone(GH) Regulates growth especially in the adolescent years.

Insufficient secretion-dwarfism
Oversecretion-gigantism

Follicle Stimulating Hormone(FSH) Influences the production of sperms in males and the ova or eggs in
females

It plays an important role in the birth process as it produces hormones which cause contraction of the muscles of
the uterus during child birth.

Prolactin Stimulates the breasts to produce milk after child birth

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone(TSH) Stimulates thyroid gland to produce thyroxine

 ADOLESCENCE
● Hormones play an important role in the growth and functioning of the human
reproductive system.
● It is only after „growing up‟ to a certain age human beings and many other animals
can reproduce.
● The period of life when the body undergoes development leading to reproductive
maturity is called „adolescence‟.
● The term „adolescence „ is derived from Latin word adolescence which means “to
grow into maturity.”
● Period between 10 -19 yrs of age in an individual‟s life is adolescence.
 PHYSICAL CHANGES
● Increase in height
● Change in body shape
● Change in voice - Larynx begins to grow. Adam‟s apple is visible in boys.
Girls voice box is smaller.
● Increased Activity of sweat and sebaceous glands.
DEVELOPMENT OF SECONDARY SEXUAL
CHARACTERSTICS
● Sex organs become active.
● Testes ----- sperm , ovaries -------- egg.
● The individual is becoming capable of producing childern. This stage is
puberty.
● Puberty is brought out by sex hormones that is produces by ovaries and
testes.
● Male sex hormone - androgen activated by FSH
● Female sex hormone - oestrogen
CHANGES THAT TAKE PLACE DURING
PUBERTY
ADOLESCENCE AND RELATED
PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGES
● Boys and Girls become too conscious about growth of their body.
● They become worried about their future.
● Boys and girls like to remain with their friends.
● Adolescence brings emotional and psychological changes.
IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL HYGIENE
IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL HYGIENE
1.Proper and safe food:

● One should take balanced diet constituting

carbohydrates,proteins,fats,vitamins and minerals,etc
● Take freshly prepared food and avoid stale food.
● Cooked food and milk,butter,fish,meat and other perishable food items should
be stored properly in a refrigerator.
● Avoid excessive consumption of fast foods.
2. Proper lifestyle IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL HYGIENE
● Avoid long hours of continuous table work.
● Avoid watching television or playing games on computer for long hours.
● Avoid smoking and consumption of alcohol and drugs.

3.Cleanliness

● Always wash your hands with soap before and after taking meals.
● Clean your teeth after each meal and before going to bed.
● Take bath regularly with clean water and good soap.
● Clothes,especially undergarments, should be changed daily.Wearing very tight clothes must be
avoided.
● Regular toilet habits must be adopted for maintaining good health.After defecation,hands should be
cleaned with water and soap.
● The feet should be cleaned everyday and kept well protected.
● Hair should be washed daily with clean and cold water.Rubbing of eyes with hands should be
avoided to prevent the entry of germs into the eyes.
● If cleanliness is not maintained,there are chances of catching bacterial infection.Girls should take
special care of cleanliness during the time of their menstrual cycle.
 IMPORTANCE OF PERSONAL HYGIENE

4.Physical Exercise

To keep body fit and healthy,all young boys and girls should walk,exercise
and play outdoor games regularly.

Physical activity is also important to combat the stress and strain of

adolescence.