Endocrine

System
 Endocrine System
 The endocrine system is a chemical messenger system comprising feedback loops of the hormones released by internal
glands of an organism directly into the circulatory system, regulating distant target organs. In humans, the
major endocrine glands are the thyroid gland and the adrenal glands.
 A hormone is any member of a class of signaling molecules, produced by glands in organisms, that are transported by the
circulatory system to target distant organs to regulate physiology and behavior
 Following are some important functions of hormones:
 Food metabolism.
 Growth and development.
 Controlling thirst and hunger.
 Maintaining body temperature.
 Regulating mood and cognitive functions.
 Initiating and maintaining sexual development and reproduction.
 Endocrine System
 The word endocrine derives from the Greek words "endo," meaning within, and
"crinis," meaning to secrete since the glands/organs involved in the endocrine
system secrete their hormones into the bloodstream.
 Endocrine glands are ductless organs, producing their messengers and secreting
them directly into the bloodstream.
 Exocrine glands are glands that secrete substances onto an epithelial surface by way
of a duct. 
Endocrine System
 The endocrine system is made up of the pituitary gland,
thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands,
pancreas, ovaries (in females) and testicles (in males),
 For example, the pancreas contains cells that function
in digestion as well as cells that secrete the hormones
insulin and glucagon, which regulate blood glucose
levels. The hypothalamus, thymus, heart, kidneys,
stomach, small intestine, liver, skin, female ovaries,
and male testes are other organs that contain cells with
endocrine function. Moreover, adipose tissue has long
been known to produce hormones, and recent research
has revealed that even bone tissue has endocrine
functions.
 Endocrine System vs Nervous System
 Nervous System
 The nervous system responds rapidly to stimuli by sending electrical action potentials along neurons, which in turn transmit
these action potentials to their target cells using neurotransmitters, the chemical messenger of the nervous system. The response
to stimuli by the nervous system is near instantaneous, although the effects are often short lived. An example is the recoil
mechanism of an arm when touching something hot.
 Endocrine System
 The endocrine system relies on hormones to elicit responses from target cells. These hormones are synthesized in specialized
glands at a distance from their target, and travel through the bloodstream, this is chemical signaling. Hormones are transported
primarily via the bloodstream throughout the body, where they bind to receptors on target cells, inducing a characteristic
response.
 As a result, endocrine signaling requires more time than the neural signaling in the nervous system to prompt a response in
target cells, This process takes significantly longer than that of the nervous system, as endocrine hormones must first be
synthesized, transported to their target cell, and enter or signal the cell. However, although hormones act more slowly than a
nervous impulse, their effects are typically longer lasting eg hormones that cause puberty.
 Endocrine System – Pituitary Gland
 Pituitary gland is a ductless gland of the endocrine system that secretes hormones directly into the
bloodstream. The pituitary gland is called the “master gland” because its hormones regulate other
important endocrine glands—including the adrenal, thyroid, and reproductive glands (e.g., ovaries and
testes. Hormones secreted by the pituitary gland:
 FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) - stimulates the production of estrogens and the growth of egg cells
(oocytes) in the ovaries in women and sperm cells in the testes in men.
 LH (luteinizing hormone) - stimulates the production of estrogens and progesterone by the ovaries in
women and the production of testosterone by the testes in men.
 ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) - controls the blood fluid and mineral levels in the body by affecting water
retention by the kidneys. It tells your kidneys how much water to conserve. ADH has an antidiuretic action
that prevents the production of dilute urine (and so is antidiuretic).
 Human growth hormone -  is a peptide hormone that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and cell
regeneration in humans. It stimulates the growth of essentially all tissues of the body, including bone.
 Endocrine System
 Pancreas – the hormones it secretes are primarily involved
 Insulin - Its main role is to allow cells throughout the body to uptake glucose (sugar) and convert it into a
form that can be used by these cells for energy. It regulates the amount of glucose in the blood.  The higher
the level of glucose, the more insulin goes into production to balance sugar levels in the blood.
 Glucagon – it is another hormone also involved in regulating the amount of glucose in the blood. When
blood glucose is low it works to raise the concentration of glucose in the bloodstream

 Adrenal Glands – small. triangular, ductless glands that rest on top of the kidneys.
They secrete a hormone called adrenaline or epinephrine, especially in conditions
of stress, increasing rates of blood circulation, breathing, and carbohydrate
metabolism and preparing muscles for exertion.
 Endocrine System
 Ovary – Ovaries produce and release two groups of sex hormones—progesterone and
estrogen.  Estrogen (estradiol, specifically) is instrumental in breast development, fat
distribution in the hips, legs, and breasts, and the development of reproductive organs.
Progesterone prepares the endometrium for the potential of pregnancy after ovulation
during menstruation. Both estrogen and progesterone work to maintain the
endometrium during pregnancy.

 Testes – produces the primary sex hormones testosterone in males. Testosterone plays
a key role in the development of male reproductive tissues such as testes and prostate,
as well as promoting secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle mass
and bone mass, and the growth of body hair.
Endocrine System
 Thyroid gland - The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ
located in the base of the neck. It secretes thyroxine, which
regulates the cell metabolism necessary for normal growth and
development as it regulates bone growth and aids in the maturation of
neurons.
 The thyroid’s hormones regulate vital body functions, including:
 Breathing, heart rate, central and peripheral nervous systems,
body weight, muscle strength, menstrual cycles, body
temperature, cholesterol levels etc.
 The body can also produce too little thyroxine, a condition known
as hypothyroidism. Low thyroxine levels cause problems with
development if it occurs when an individual is young. In adults,
thyroxine deficiency will lower the metabolic rate, causing weight
gain, memory problems, infertility, fatigue, and muscle stiffness.