How have you changed over the past

year?

What has caused those changes?

How do you think you will change in

the next few years?
INTRODUCTION TO
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Gland – is an organ that develops a
secretion which performs a specific
function. It is of two kinds:
1. Exocrine ( external secretion )
2. Endocrine(internal secretion )
Endocrine system is made up of a number
of ductless glands that secrete chemicals
that control certain body activities.
1. Endocrine glands – secretes chemicals
into the capillaries that pass through the
glands.
2. Exocrine glands – release chemicals into
ducts.
The Endocrine System
regulates, coordinates and
controls:
◦ Growth and development.
◦ Male and female development.
◦ How your body uses energy.
◦ Levels of salts and sugars in
your blood.
◦ The amount (volume) of fluid in
your body.
◦ Appetite.
◦ Many other body functions.
The Endocrine Glands are the
organs of the Endocrine System.
They produce and secrete (release)
Hormones.
Hormones
They are located all over your body.
Gland What it Regulates
Pituitary “Master Gland” that regulates all other Endocrine
Glands, also releases growth hormone

Thyroid Metabolism, body heat, bone growth

Parathyroids Use of Calcium and Phosphorous
Hypothalamus Links nervous system to endocrine system

Adrenal Response in emergency or stressful situations,

metabolism, blood pressure, salt balance

Pancreas Blood sugar

Ovaries Production of eggs; female characteristics

Testes Production of sperm; male characteristics

Thymus Parts of the immune system

The answer is
Hormones!
HORMONES ARE CHEMICAL
MESSENGERS THAT ARE
SECRETED (RELEASED) FROM
GLANDS INTO THE BLOOD AND
AFFECT CELLS IN ANOTHER
PART OF THE BODY.
Hormones only work on certain cells, called target cells.
The target cells have special receptors that “recognize” the hormones and
allow them to influence that cell.

Target
Target Cell
Cell for
for Target Cell for Target Cell for
Hormone
Hormone A A Hormones A and B Hormone B

Hormone A Hormone B

These receptors recognize the hormones.

They “fit” like a lock and key.
External stimuli Internal stimuli
by way of nerves
from the sensory by way of nerves
organs in the nervous and other hormones
system from inside the body
Brain reacts by way Brain also reacts by
of secretions from way of nerves from
neurons in hypothalamus and
hypothalamus brainstem
(neurohormones)

“Autonomic Nervous System”

 What is the
difference between
nerve and hormone
control?

Why both kinds

of controls?

DISCUSS YOUR ANSWERS.

•Remember, external means coming from
outside of your body and internal means
coming from inside of your body.
 STIMULUS:
You hear a loud noise

A large dog runs toward you, growling

and barking

You eat a large candy bar

You have not eaten in six hours

You have strep throat

 A chain of events occur that lead from the stimulus
to the response.
 Negative feedback means that when enough
hormone is in the body, the body stops
producing the hormone until it is needed again.

You eat. Glucose (sugar) Increased glucose is detected by receptors

in the blood increases. that notify the brain. It sends a message
to the pancreas to produce insulin.

Pancreas stops making insulin.

Insulin tells muscle and liver to take up

Blood glucose level drops as glucose from the bloodstream and use it for energy
it is removed by the cells. or store it for later. Brain reduces appetite.
 Diabetes

In the case shown in this picture, the body produces insulin but the target cells become resistant
and unresponsive to it. Diabetes can also be caused by the body not producing enough insulin.
The glucose does not enter the muscle and liver cells like it should and it builds up in the blood
causing complications.
A few hormone systems
are positive feedback
systems:
The pituitary gland sends a
signal by way of the
hormone oxytocin to the
uterus causing contractions.
The pressure of the fetus on
the cervix sends a signal
back to the brain which then
stimulates the release of
more oxytocin. This causes
more contractions. The
fetus pushes harder on the
cervix. More oxytocin is
released. The system
continues until birth occurs.
When normal functions lose their negative feedback control,
many times disease is the result.
An example:
•Neurons in the hypothalamus secrete thyroid releasing
hormone (TRH), which stimulates cells in the anterior
pituitary to secrete thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

•TSH binds to receptors to cells in the thyroid gland,

stimulating thyroid hormones, which affect all cells in
the body.
Disr
up

•When blood concentrations of thyroid hormones

tion

increase above a certain level, TRH-secreting neurons

in the hypothalamus are inhibited and stop secreting
TRH.

•If this process is disrupted, the Thyroid keeps

producing hormones and hyperthyroid disease ensues.
DO YOU KNOW WHERE EACH HORMONE COMES FROM,
WHERE IT ACTS, AND WHAT THE ACTION IS? GUESS FIRST,
THEN CLICK EACH TO FIND OUT.
Adrenaline
Progesterone
Testosterone

Insulin Thyroxine
Cortisol

Estrogen Done
Where it comes from: Adrenal Gland
Where it acts: heart, blood vessels,
eyes
What it does: stimulates heart rate,
increases blood pressure, dilates
pupils
Causes "Adrenaline Rush”
A 'fight and flight' hormone.
It is released in high stress
conditions or in excitement or fear.
Loud noise, high temperature etc.
may also trigger its release since
these are also high stress situations.

Return to hormones slide

• Where it comes from:
ovary (where an egg
was released)
• Where it acts: uterus
• What it does: controls
menstruation in
women and plays a
role in pregnancy.
• One of the
components of birth
control pills

Return to hormones slide

Where it comes from: thyroid gland
Where it acts: most cells of the body
What it does: controls the rate of metabolic
processes (how energy is used) in the body
and influences physical development
People may not produce enough of this
hormone and get a condition known as
hypothyroidism. They can take thyroxine to
treat this condition.

Return to hormones slide

Where it comes from: testicles
Where it acts: body-hair cells, muscle,
reproductive structures
What it does: stimulates development of
male sexual characteristics
Testosterone is a steroid and has been
administered to athletes in order to
improve performance. This is considered to
be a form of doping in most sports and is a
very dangerous practice.
Females also produce small amounts of
testosterone in their ovaries that affect
muscle development and other body
functions.
Return to hormones slide
Where it comes from: ovary
Where it acts: breast tissue, reproductive
structures in female
What it does: stimulates development of
female sexual characteristics
Estrogen levels may be related somehow to
migraine headaches in women.

Return to hormones slide

Where it comes from: outer part of
adrenal gland
Where it acts: multiple tissues
What it does: mental stimulation,
breaks down fat and protein to glucose,
anti-inflammation
It is usually referred to as the "stress
hormone" as it is involved in response
to stress and anxiety.

Return to hormones slide

Where it comes from: Insulin is
produced in the pancreas
Where it acts: liver, muscle, and fat
tissue
What it does: Insulin causes cells to
take up glucose (sugar) from the blood,
storing it in the liver and muscle, and
stopping use of fat as an energy source.
Problems with insulin production or use
in the body can lead to diabetes.

Return to hormones slide

What are the functions of the Endocrine System?
Name 5 Endocrine Glands and what they do.
What are hormones?
How do hormones work?
Name some hormones and what they do.
At what times in your life do you think your Endocrine System is most active?