PART A—THE ENDOCRINE GLANDS

Observe the models and diagrams of the endocrine gland. Identify the structures below
and give the functions.

1. Pituitary 2. Pineal Gland

6. Thyroid 4. Parathyroids (posterior

part of thyroid)

7. Thymus

8. Adrenals
3. Pancreas (islets)

9. Ovaries
(female) 5. Testes (male)

Functions:
1. Pineal Gland - The main function of the pineal gland is to receive and convey
information about the current light-dark cycle from the environment and, consequently
produce and secrete melatonin cyclically at night (dark period). The pineal gland is key
to the body's internal clock because it regulates the body's circadian rhythms. Circadian
rhythms are the daily rhythms of the body, including signals that make someone feel
tired, sleep, wake up, and feel alert around the same time each day.
2. Parathyroids (posterior part of thyroid) - The parathyroid glands are four or more
small glands, about the size of a grain of rice, located on the posterior surface of the
thyroid gland. The major function of the parathyroid glands is to maintain the body's
calcium level within a very narrow range, so the nervous and muscular systems can
function properly.
3. Pancreas (islets) - The pancreas is part of the digestive system and produces insulin
and other important enzymes and hormones that help break down foods. The pancreas
has an endocrine function because it releases juices directly into the bloodstream, and
it has an exocrine function because it releases juices into ducts. Enzymes, or digestive
juices, are secreted by the pancreas into the small intestine. There, it continues
breaking down food that has left the stomach. The pancreas also produces the
hormone insulin and secretes it into the bloodstream, where it regulates the body’s
glucose or sugar level.
4. Testes (male) - The two main functions of the testes are to produce sperm and to
produce the male sex hormones (androgens). This makes the testes both an endocrine
and exocrine gland (which release substances into a duct rather than directly into the
blood like endocrine glands).
5. Ovaries (female) - Ovaries are the female gonads — the primary female reproductive
organs. These glands have three important functions: they secrete hormones, they
protect the eggs a female is born with, and they release eggs for possible fertilization.
6. Adrenals - Adrenal glands, also known as suprarenal glands, are small, triangular-
shaped glands located on top of both kidneys. Adrenal glands produce hormones that
help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure, response to stress and
other essential functions. Adrenal glands are composed of two parts — the cortex and
the medulla — which are each responsible for producing different hormones.
7. Thymus - The thymus is responsible for producing and maturing lymphocytes, or
immune cells. These include T cells, a type of white blood cell that defends the body
from infections. Additionally, the thymus suppresses the effects of aging, according to a
2016 study. Hormones released by the thymus inhibit the aging processes.
8. Thyroid - The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the base of your
neck. It releases hormones that control metabolism—the way your body uses energy.
The thyroid gland also produces hormones that regulate the body's metabolic rate
controlling heart, muscle and digestive function, brain development and bone
maintenance. Its correct functioning depends on a good supply of iodine from the diet.
9. Pituitary - The pituitary gland is sometimes called the "master" gland of the
endocrine system because it controls the functions of many of the other endocrine
glands. The pituitary gland is no larger than a pea and is located at the base of the
brain. Its main function is to secrete hormones into your bloodstream. These hormones
can affect other organs and glands, especially your: thyroid.
PART B- QUESTIONS
1. What role does the hypothalamus play in controlling the secretions of the
pituitary gland?
The almond-sized hypothalamus is located below the thalamus and sits just
above the brainstem. All vertebrate brains have a hypothalamus. Its major function is to
keep the body in a state of homeostasis (internal environment stability). By way of the
pituitary gland, the hypothalamus connects the nervous and endocrine systems. Its
function is to secrete releasing hormones and inhibiting hormones that stimulate or
inhibit hormone production in the anterior pituitary, as their names imply. The
hormones Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) and Oxytocin (OXT) are produced by specialized
neuron clusters called neurosecretory cells in the hypothalamus and transport them to
the pituitary, where they are stored for later release. The pituitary gland is a pea-sized,
reddish-gray body attached to the hypothalamus that stores hormones from the
hypothalamus and releases them into the bloodstream. The pituitary has two lobes, one
anterior and one posterior, each with its own set of functions.
In summary, the hypothalamus works with the pituitary gland, which produces
and distributes other important hormones throughout the body. Together, the
hypothalamus and pituitary gland control many of the glands that produce hormones of
the body, called the endocrine system. The adrenal cortex, gonads, and thyroid are all
part of this system.