The endocrine system secretes hormones into the bloodstream from glands throughout the

body. Hormones produce an effect on specific target organs in the body.

A hormone is a chemical substance, produced by a gland and carried in the bloodstream,
which alters the activity of specific target organs
Once a hormone has been used, it is destroyed by the liver.

Hormones can control the body, and the effects are much slower than the nervous system,
but they last for longer.

The pituitary gland in the brain is known as a 'master gland'. It secretes several hormones
into the blood in response to the body's condition, such as blood water levels. These
hormones can also act on other glands to stimulate the release of different types of
hormones and bring about effects.

Exothermic reactions transfer energy to the surroundings and the temperature of the
surroundings increases. Endothermic reactions take in energy and the temperature of the
surroundings decreases.

Example

Hydrogen and chlorine react to form hydrogen chloride gas:

H−H + Cl−Cl → 2 × (H−Cl)

Use the bond energies in the table to can lculate the energy change for this reaction.
Bond Bond energy
H−H 436 kJ mol-1
Cl−Cl 243 kJ mol-1
H−Cl 432 kJ mol-1

Energy in = 436 + 243 = 679 kJ mol-1

Energy out = (2 × 432) = 864 kJ mol-1

Energy change = in - out

= 679 - 864

= -185 kJ mol-1

The energy change is negative. This shows that the reaction is exothermic.

Example 2

Hydrogen bromide decomposes to form hydrogen and bromine:

2 × (H−Br) → H−H + Br−Br

Use the bond energies in the table to calculate the energy change for this reaction.

Bond Bond energy

H−Br 366 kJ mol-1
H−H 436 kJ mol-1
Br−Br 193 kJ mol-1

Energy in = 2 × 366 = 732 kJ mol-1

Energy out = 436 + 193 = 629 kJ mol-1

Energy change = in - out

= 732 - 629

= +103 kJ mol-1

The energy change is positive. This shows that the reaction is endothermic.