The Endocrine

System
Hormones
 Why are hormones needed?
◦ chemical messages from one body part to
cells in other parts of body
◦ communication needed
to coordinate whole body
◦ maintaining homeostasis
 Endocrine System
 Endocrine system releases
hormones
◦ glands which secrete (release)
chemical signals into blood
 chemicals cause changes
in other parts of body
 growth hormones
 sex hormones
 response hormones
 metabolism hormones
 and more….
Functions of the Endocrine
System
 Controls the processes involved in
movement and physiological equilibrium
 Includes all tissues or glands that secrete
hormones into the blood
 Secretion of most hormones is regulated
by a negative feedback system
 The number of receptors for a specific
hormone can be altered to meet the body’s
demand
Major Glands of the Endocrine
System
 Hypothalamus
 Pituitary
 Thyroid
 Adrenal
 Gonads: Ovaries
& Testes