Biology:

Endocrine System (NOTES) by Srikrshna P | Helpline for ICSE Students (Class 10)

The Endocrine System

Glands are modified epithelium which produces certain secretions.

TYPES OF GLANDS:

Exocrine Gland/Duct Gland Endocrine Gland/Ductless Heterocrine Gland/Dual Gland

Secretions of these Glands
are carried to the site of
action through fine ducts.
E.g.: Salivary Gland
Gland
Secretions of these Glands are
carried to the site of action
through blood.
E.g.: Thyroid Gland
These Glands are both
Exocrine and Endocrine in
function
E.g.: Pancreas [Insulin-ENDO
; Pancreatic juice-EXO]

Secretions of Endocrine Glands-HORMONES

HORMONES: Special chemicals secreted by Endocrine Glands, which are directly

poured into the BLOOD and are carried to the site of action, called Target Organ.

CHARECTERISTICS OF HORMONES:

• They are Proteins, specific in function and specific in target

• Secreted in LOW concentration, if in excess it is excreted through urine
• Hypo or Hyper secretion causes diseases
o Hormones act as chemical messengers.
o They are secreted by living cells/tissues or organs called glands.
o They are secreted in very small quantities by glands.
o They act upon specific cells, tissues, or organs called the target sites.
o They are generally slow in action, but have long lasting effects.
o They either accelerate or inhibit a reaction.

PITUITARY GLAND (A.K.A MASTER GLAND)

• Location: Below Hypothalamus in the Forebrain.

• Pituitary Gland id divided into 3 lobes:
o Anterior Lobe
o Inter-mediate Lobe
o Posterior Lobe

ANTERIOR PITUITARY LOBE:

o Some of the Hormones of Anterior Pituitary Lobe are called Tropic Hormones
o Tropic Hormones: Hormones which stimulates other Endocrine Glands to
produce their secretions.

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 Biology: Endocrine System (NOTES) by Srikrshna P | Helpline for ICSE Students (Class 10)

E.g.: TSH, ACTH, FSH, and LH

o Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (LHT):
Stimulates Thyroid Gland to produce its secretions.
o Adreno-Cortico Tropic Hormone (ACTH):
Stimulates Adrenal Cortex to secrete its hormones
o Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH):
Stimulated in both MALES & FEMALES
It maintains the growth and development of GRAAFIAN follicle.
In Males- Spermatogenesis (Production of Sperms)
In Females- Maturation of Follicle (Production of Ovum)
Testis
• Leydig cells (Interstitial cells) – Secrete androgens, mainly testosterone
• Testosterone plays a role in spermatogenesis and development of male
secondary sexual characters.
Ovary
• It secretes two hormones.
• Estrogen – Secreted by Graafian follicle, it regulates the development of
female secondary sexual characters.
• Progesterone – Secreted by corpus luteum, it acts on mammary glands
and helps in milk secretion.

o Luteinizing Hormone (LH):

It helps in secretion of Androgens from Testis. It also induces Ovulation from
GRAAFIAN follicle.
In Males, it stimulates secretion of male hormone Testosterone.
In Males, it also called INTESTITIAL CELL STIMULATING HORMONE.
In Females, it stimulates secretion of female hormone Progesterone.
Progesterone – Secreted by corpus luteum, it acts on mammary glands and
helps in milk secretion.

GROWTH HORMONE/SOMATOTROPIN
Functions
Of Regulates NORMAL growth & development of the body.
GH Helps in Ossification of Bones.
Hypo-secretion:
a. Dwarfism in children-
1. Stunted physical growth
Hyper-secretion:
a. Gigantism in children-
1. Abnormal growth in height
b. ACROMEGALY in adults-
1. Elongation of Bones of Limbs
2. Bones of Jaw protrude

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 Biology: Endocrine System (NOTES) by Srikrshna P | Helpline for ICSE Students (Class 10)

PROLACTIN

Stimulates MAMMARY glands to produce the secretions after the birth of a

child.
ONLY in FEMALES

POSTERIOR PITUITARY LOBE:

ANTI-DIURETIC HORMONE [ADH]/VASOPRESSIN]

Functions
Of It stimulates reabsorption of water by CONVOLUTED tubules.
ADH It regulates the water levels in Urine.
Hypo-secretion:
a. Diabetes insipidus-
1. Watery urine without Glucose
2. Person feels thirsty & tired

OXYTOCIN (The “Feel Good” Hormone)

Simulates forceful contraction of Uterine wall (wall of the Uterus) during

child birth.
It also helps in Milk ejection.

THYROID GLAND

Location: Below larynx on either sides of trachea

Function: Secretes two Hormones,
1. Thyroxin
2. Calcitonin
1. Thyroxin:
Functions (of Thyroxin):
ü Controls Cell Division & its
differentiations
ü Controls BMR (Basal Metabolism Rate)
ü Controls Metabolism of Carbohydrates, Proteins & Fat
ü Decides the onset of puberty in young Males and Females
Hypo-secretion:
a. Cretinism in children-
1. Stunted physical and mental growth
b. Myxoedema in adults-
1. BMR falls
2. Swelling in the Neck
3. Swelling in different parts of the body
4. Tiredness

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 Biology: Endocrine System (NOTES) by Srikrshna P | Helpline for ICSE Students (Class 10)

Hyper-secretion:
a. Exophthalmic Goitre-
1. Rate of Heart Beat, Breathing increases
2. Eyeballs seem to bulge out
3. Rate of Oxidation of food increases
4. Person becomes irritable
Simple Goitre:
® Caused due to the deficiency of Iodine in diet. Hence, Thyroxin
secretion isn’t normal.
® Symptoms:
1. BMR falls
2. Weakness
3. Exhaustion
4. Swelling in the neck due to enlargement of Thyroid Gland
5. Lower Thyroxin levels may also lead to Infertility

2. Calcitonin:
Functions:
1. Regulates Calcium Metabolism in the body
2. Regulates Mobilization of Calcium ion from BONES to BLOOD

ADRENAL GLAND

Location: A pair of Adrenal Glands one above each Kidney (Like CAP)

Internally, Adrenal Gland is divided into two parts:

(a) Outer Cortex - It secretes hormone called corticoids.
* Corticoid such as glucocorticoid regulates carbohydrate
metabolism. Example includes cortisol.
* Corticoid such as mineralocorticoid maintains the sodium
potassium level in blood and tissue. Example includes
Aldosterone.

(b) Inner Medulla - It secretes ADRENALINE (epinephrine) and

NORADRENALINE (norepinephrine). These are collectively called as

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 Biology: Endocrine System (NOTES) by Srikrshna P | Helpline for ICSE Students (Class 10)

CATECHOLAMINES. These hormones are also called “EMERGENCY”

hormones.

CORTEX- Stimulated by ACTH to secrete its hormones.

• Cortex is divided into 3 layers:
® Outer Layer
® Middle Layer
® Inner Layer

• Outer Layer-
® Secretes a group of hormones called MINERALORTICOIDS
E.g.- Aldosterone
® Maintains ionic concentration of Blood, i.e., concentration of
Na (Sodium) ion, K (Potassium) ion and Ca (Calcium) ion.
® Hypo-secretion-
a. Addison’s Disease
1. Low Na level in blood
2. Low BP
3. Low Blood Sugar level
4. Weakness
5. Nausea
6. Vomiting
7. Bronze Pigmentation
® Hyper-secretion-
a. Conn’s Syndrome/Aldosteronism
1. Kidney failure
2. High Blood Sugar level
3. High Na level in blood
• Middle Layer-
® Secretes a group of hormones called GLUCOCORTICOIDS
E.g.’: Cortisol & Cortisone
® Function: Regulates Carbohydrates, Protein & Fat metabolism
in the body.
® These hormones are also called “Anti-Stress Hormone”
® Hypo-secretion- Stress
® Hyper-secretion-
a. Cushing’s Syndrome
1. Rise in Blood volume
2. Rise in BP
3. Rise in Blood Sugar level
4. Obesity

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 Biology: Endocrine System (NOTES) by Srikrshna P | Helpline for ICSE Students (Class 10)

• Inner Layer-
Secrete a group of hormones called SEX-CORTICOIDS
E.g.: Androstenedione
Secrete both in males & females
Function: Requires for maintaining secondary sexual
characters in males and females.
[Facial Hair (boys) |Breasts (Girls)]
Hyper-secretion-
a. Adrenal Virilism –
1. In males-Enlargement of Breasts
In females- Hoarse voice & appearance of Facial hair

MEDULLA- Secretes Adrenaline (epinephrine) also called “EMERGENCY”

hormones.
Prepares the body for emergencies like,
ü Increased rate of Heart beat
ü Increased rate of Breathing
ü Increased Blood Sugar level
ü Decreased Blood Supply to skin

PANCREAS

Location: Below the stomach in the loop of duodenum

It is a Heterocrine Gland, the Pancreas have both
Endocrine and Heterocrine Gland
Endocrine part of Pancreas-
“Islets of Langerhans”
Islets of Langerhans has three types of cells:
• ALPHA cells
• BETA cells
• DELTA cells
ALPHA cells- secrete Glucagon.
Hyperglycemia – Increased blood glucose level
Glucagon is a hyperglycaemic hormone.
Function of Glucagon: Converts Glycogen to Glucose
BETA cells- secrete Insulin
• Hypoglycaemia – Decreased blood glucose level
• Insulin is a hypoglycaemic hormone.
• Functions of Insulin: Converts Glucose to Glycogen.
Helps the cells in the uptake of Glucose and its
utilization.

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 Biology: Endocrine System (NOTES) by Srikrshna P | Helpline for ICSE Students (Class 10)

•Hypo-secretion of Insulin-
a. Diabetes mellitus
1. Frequent urination
2. Person feels thirsty
3. Person feels hungry
4. Muscle wasting
5. Overtime this condition affects Kidney, Eyes, Nervous System,
Heart
• Hyper –secretion of Insulin- COMA, due to nerve cell starvation.
DELTA cells- secretes Somatostatin
• Function of Somatostatin: Regulates the functioning of Glucagon &
Insulin

INSULIN SHOCK- If a diabetic person has taken the insulin injection but has not
eaten his food properly, it results in INSULIN SHOCK.
® Symptoms:
1. Dizziness/Blackout
2. Sweating
3. Disorientation due to nerve cell starvation
® Reason: Person’s glucose level falls below normal
® Treatment: The person has to be administered orally.

HYPOTHALAMUS: Contains NEUROSECRETORY cells that produce hormones

Hormones regulate the synthesis and secretion of pituitary glands.

Two types of hormones are released.
Releasing hormones – Stimulate pituitary gland to release hormones
Inhibiting hormones – Inhibit pituitary gland from releasing hormones

PINEAL GLAND
It secretes a hormone called melatonin.
It also regulates the rhythm of body.

FEEDBACK MECHANISM

* Hypothalamus is considered to be a link between Nervous System &

Endocrine System, as it controls the functioning of Pituitary Gland.
* Between Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland is present a Portal System
called Hypophyseal Portal System.
* Hypothalamus produces two secretions which pass via the portal system
to reach Pituitary Gland. These secretions are:
a. RELEASING factor
b. INHIBITING factor

* E.g.- If the level of Thyroxin in blood is more than normal

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 Biology: Endocrine System (NOTES) by Srikrshna P | Helpline for ICSE Students (Class 10)

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