GROUP MEMBERS

COURAGE MAPAIKE
LINDA GATSI
SYLIVESTER ZVAVAHERA
TAFADZWA KWATENGERA
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
•The endocrine system is made up of glands that produce and secrete
hormones, chemical substances produced in the body that regulate the
activity of cells or organs.
•The endocrine system is a complex collection of glands and organs that
helps to regulate various bodily functions. This is accomplished through
the release of hormones, or chemical messengers produced by the
endocrine system.
•The glands of the endocrine system are where hormones are produced,
stored, and released. Each gland produces one or more hormones, which go
on to target specific organs and tissues in the body.
Cont…
• Hormones act as chemical messengers that are released into the
blood stream to act on an organ in another part of the body. Although
hormones reach all parts of the body, only target cells with
compatible receptors are equipped to respond
•These hormones regulate the body's growth, metabolism (the physical
and chemical processes of the body), and sexual development and
function.
• The hormones are released into the bloodstream and may affect one
or several organs throughout the body
•Hormones control or regulate many biological processes and are often
produced in exceptionally low amounts within the body
Cont…..
•The endocrine system, made up of all the body's different
hormones, regulates all biological processes in the body from
conception through adulthood and into old age, including the
development of the brain and nervous system, the growth and
function of the reproductive system, as well as the
metabolism and blood sugar levels.
•The female ovaries, male testes, and pituitary, thyroid, and
adrenal glands are major constituents of the endocrine system
Cont….
•The endocrine system is regulated by feedback in much the same way
that a thermostat regulates the temperature in a room.
•For the hormones that are regulated by the pituitary gland, a signal is
sent from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland in the form of a
"releasing hormone," which stimulates the pituitary to secrete a
"stimulating hormone" into the circulation.
• The stimulating hormone then signals the target gland to secrete its
hormone.
• As the level of this hormone rises in the circulation, the hypothalamus and
the pituitary gland shut down secretion of the releasing hormone and the
stimulating hormone, which in turn slows the secretion by the target gland.
Cont…
• This system results in stable blood concentrations of the hormones
that are regulated by the pituitary gland
1) Hypothalamus gland- is a part of the brain that secretes hormones
that regulate body temperature and metabolism.
•The hypothalamus is located in the lower central part of the brain. This
part of the brain is important in regulation of satiety, metabolism, and
body temperature.
•In a hypothalamus releasing hormones signal secretion of stimulating
hormones. The hypothalamus also secretes a hormone called
somatostatin, which causes the pituitary gland to stop the release of
growth hormone.
Cont….
2)Pituitary gland-produces hormones that control many of the other
endocrine organs.
•The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain beneath the
hypothalamus and is no larger than a pea.
• It is often considered the most important part of the endocrine
system because it produces hormones that control many functions of
other endocrine glands.
•When the pituitary gland does not produce one or more of its
hormones or not enough of them, it is called hypopituitarism.
Cont…
•The pituitary gland is divided into two parts- the anterior lobe and the
posterior lobe.
•The anterior lobe produces hormones, which are regulated by the
hypothalamus
Anterior lobe
Growth hormone- stimulates growth of bone and tissue Growth hormone
deficiency in adults results in problems in maintaining proper amounts of body
fat and muscle and bone mass. It is also involved in emotional well-being.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)- stimulates the thyroid gland to produce
thyroid hormones
Adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH)- stimulates the adrenal gland to
produce several related steroid hormones
Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)- hormones
that control sexual function and production of the sex steroids, estrogen and
progesterone in females or testosterone in males
Prolactin- hormone that stimulates milk production in females
Posterior lobe
• The posterior lobe produces the following hormones, which are not regulated by
the hypothalamus
Antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin)- controls water loss by the kidneys
Oxytocin- contracts the uterus during childbirth and stimulates milk production
•The hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary are actually produced in the brain
and carried to the pituitary gland through nerves. They are stored in the pituitary
gland.
3)Thyroid gland is located in the lower front part of the neck. It produces thyroid
hormones that regulate the body's metabolism. It also plays a role in bone growth
and development of the brain and nervous system in children.
The pituitary gland controls the release of thyroid hormones.
Thyroid hormones also help maintain normal blood pressure, heart rate, digestion,
muscle tone, and reproductive functions.
Parathyroid glands- are two pairs of small glands embedded in the surface of the thyroid
gland, one pair on each side. They release parathyroid hormone, which plays a role in
regulating calcium levels in the blood and bone metabolism.
4)Adrenal Glands- regulate your body's metabolism, immune system, and sexual functions.
•The two adrenal glands are triangular-shaped glands located on top of each kidney. The
adrenal glands are made up of two parts. The outer part is called the adrenal cortex, and
the inner part is called the adrenal medulla.
•The outer part produces hormones called corticosteroids, which regulate the body's
metabolism, the balance of salt and water in the body, the immune system, and sexual
function.
•The inner part, or adrenal medulla, produces hormones called catecholamine (for example,
adrenaline). These hormones help the body cope with physical and emotional stress by
increasing the heart rate and blood pressure.
5)Pineal body or pineal gland- is located in the middle of the brain. It secretes a
hormone called melatonin, which may help regulate the wake-sleep cycle of the
body.
6)Reproductive glands (Gonads)- are the main source of sex hormones. In males,
the testes, located in the scrotum, secrete hormones called androgens the most
important of which is testosterone.
These hormones affect many male characteristics (for example, sexual
development, growth of facial hair and pubic hair) as well as sperm production. In
females, the ovaries, located on both sides of the uterus, produce estrogen and
progesterone as well as eggs.
These hormones control the development of female characteristics (for example,
breast growth), and they are also involved in reproductive functions (for example,
menstruation, pregnancy).
7)Pancreatic gland- the pancreas is an elongated organ located toward the
back of the abdomen behind the stomach. The pancreas has digestive and
hormonal functions. One part of the pancreas, the exocrine pancreas,
secretes digestive enzymes.
• The other part of the pancreas, the endocrine pancreas, secretes hormones
called insulin and glucagon. These hormones regulate the level of glucose
(sugar) in the blood
•Hormones are the chemicals the endocrine system uses to send messages to
organs and tissue throughout the body. Once released into the bloodstream,
they travel to their target organ or tissue, which has receptors that recognize
and react to the hormone.
• 
Cont…….
8)Thymus- located in the upper torso, the thymus is active until puberty
and produces hormones important for the development of a type of
white blood cell called a T cell
•Below are some examples of hormones that are produced by the endocrine
system
Endocrine hormones
Hormone Secreting glands Functions
Adrenaline Andrenal increases blood pressure, heart rate, and metabolism in reaction to
stress

Oestrogen Ovary regulate menstrual cycle, maintain pregnancy, and develop female
sex characteristics; aids in sperm production

follicle pituitary controls the production of eggs and sperm

stimulating
hormone (FSH) glucagon pancreas helps to increase levels of blood glucose

insulin pancreas helps to reduce your blood glucose levels

oxytocin pituitary helps with lactation, childbirth, and mother-child bonding
progesterone ovary helps to prepare the body for pregnancy when an egg is fertilized
testosterone testes, adrenal, ovary contributes to sex drive and body density in males and females as
well as development of male sex characteristics

thyroid thyroid help to control several body functions, including the rate of
metabolism and energy levels
Conditions that can affect the endocrine system
•Sometimes, hormone levels can be too high or too low. When this happens, it
can have a number of effects on your health. The signs and symptoms depend
on the hormone that’s out of balance.
Hyperthyroidism- it happens when your thyroid gland makes more thyroid
hormone than necessary. This can be caused by a range of things, including
autoimmune conditions, signs and symptoms for hyperthyroidism
•fatigue
•nervousness
•weight loss
•diarrhoea
•issues tolerating heat
•fast heart rate
• trouble sleeping
Cont…
•Treatment- include medications, radioiodine therapy, or surgery. 
Graves disease -is an autoimmune disorder and common form of
hyperthyroidism.
Graves disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid, which causes it
to produce more thyroid hormone than normal.
Cont….
Cushing syndrome- happens due to high levels of the hormone cortisol.
• weight gain
•fatty deposits in the face, midsection, or shoulders
•stretch marks, particularly on the arms, thighs, and abdomen
•slow healing of cuts, scrapes, and insect bites
•thin skin that bruises easily
•irregular periods
•decreased sex drive and fertility in males
Treatment - include medications, radiation therapy, or surgery.
Cont…
Addison disease- happens when your adrenal glands do not produce enough
cortisol or aldosterone. Some symptoms of Addison disease include:
• fatigue
•weight loss
•abdominal pain
•low blood sugar
•nausea or vomiting
•diarrhoea
•irritability
•a craving for salt or salty foods
•irregular periods
Treatment- include medications, radiation therapy, or surgery.
Cont….
Diabetes- refers to a condition in which your blood sugar levels aren’t
regulated properly. People with diabetes have too much glucose in their blood
(high blood sugar). There are two types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes and type
2 diabetes. Some common symptoms of diabetes include:
• fatigue
•weight loss
•increased hunger or thirst
•frequent urge to urinate
•irritability
•frequent infections
Treatment-include blood sugar monitoring, insulin therapy, and medications.
Lifestyle changes, such as getting regular exercise and eating a balanced diet,
can also help.
THANK YOU