A.

Functions of the Endocrine System

I. Overview of the Endocrine System
● Made up of GLANDS that release
hormones into the bloodstream
● Hormones are chemical "messengers"
that control numerous body functions
● Allow for the maintenance of internal
homeostasis or the internal
environment in the body
1. Metabolism
2. Control of food intake and digestion
3. Tissue development
4. Ion regulation
5. Water balance
6. Heart rate and blood pressure
regulation
7. Control of blood glucose and other
nutrients
8. Control of Reproductive functions
9. Uterine contraction and milk release
10. Immune System regulation

● Allow the regulation of growth and ● HYPOTHALAMUS and PITUITARY

development of an organism. - are in the brain

A. Major Glands of the Endocrine System ● PARATHYROIDS

- are in the neck and sit on the
THYROID

● THYMUS
- is found behind the breastbone

● ADRENALS
- sit on the kidneys

● PANCREAS
- is in the abdomen

● TESTES
- are in the scrotum

● OVARIES
- are in the hip area

‘
1
 B. Functions of Endocrine Glands

The ovaries in females and testes in males are

also endocrine glands.

C. Transport of Hormones

● Hormones are transported throughout

the body by the bloodstream to ALL
cells

● A given hormone usually affects only a

limited number of cells called target
cells

● Only the TARGET CELLS with the

RECEPTOR for the hormone will be
affected by that hormone.

2
Activities Controlled by Hormones
● Activities of entire organs
● Mood
● Growth and development
● Reproduction
● Sexual characteristics
● Usage and storage of energy
● Levels of fluid, salt and sugar in the
blood
II. Endocrine Glands
A. Pituitary Gland
Function: “Master Gland” that communicates
with the hypothalamus to control many body
activities
- Link between the nervous and
endocrine systems
Location: Tiny structure about the size of a
grape at the base of the brain
- Connected to the hypothalamus (part
of the brain)
Hormones of the Pituitary: Produces &
secretes NINE hormones that affect other
glands and organs
● Growth Hormone (GH)- growth
hormone; helps fat be used for energy
3
● Thyroid-stimulating Hormone (TSH)-
stimulates growth of the thyroid gland
● Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH)-
stimulates growth of the adrenal gland
● Follicle stimulating Hormone (FSH) –
growth of the ovarian follicles,
production of estrogen in females; &
production of sperm in males
● Luteinizing Hormone (LH) – stimulates
ovulation and produces progesterone in
females
● Oxytocin – released during childbirth;
causes contraction of the uterus
Diseases of Pituitary
Gigantism
- Over-secretion of growth hormone
prior to puberty
Excessive growth of long bones
Treatment: drug therapy to inhibit GH release
Dwarfism
- Under-production of growth hormone
during childhood
- Long bone growth is decreased
- Body is proportioned and intelligence is
normal
- Treatment: early diagnosis& injections
of GH for 5 or more yrs.
B. Thyroid Gland nervousness, irregular menstrual
periods in women.
Function: regulates metabolism, growth and
development, and blood calcium levels Treatment: anti-thyroid medication, surgical
removal of thyroid.
Location: Butterfly shaped mass found in neck
in front of the trachea; shaped like an H Graves Disease
- Severe form of hyperthyroidism
- More common in women

Symptoms: strained and tense facial

expression, nervous, irritability

Goiter - enlarged swelling of thyroid in neck

Hypothyroidism (Myxedema)

- Under-production of thyroxine causes

I. Hormones of the Thyroid Gland
Thyroxine – increases metabolic rate;
regulates growth and development
- Requires iodine to be produced, which is
found in foods and iodized salt
Calcitonin – lowers blood calcium by
accelerating storage in bones
- 99% of calcium in the body is stored in
bones, necessary for blood clotting,
muscle contraction, and holding cells
together
slow metabolism
Causes weight-gain without trying, depression,
fatigue, puffiness of face, hands and feet
Treatment: thyroid-replacement hormone
drugs, like Levothyroxine
Cretinism
When hypothyroidism occurs since infancy or
childhood, growth and development are not
occur normally
Lack of mental/physical growth resulting in
mental retardation and malformation

Disease of the Thyroid Gland Sexual development and physical growth does
not reach beyond 7-8 year old children
● Hyperthyroidism
● Over-production of thyroxine increases C. Parathyroid Gland
metabolism
- Causes weight-loss, increased appetite, Function: raises blood calcium
fatigue, high blood pressure,

4
Location: Four small glands behind the thyroid E. Pancreas
(size of grains of rice)
Function: maintains glucose homeostasis
Hormone of the Parathyroid (normal blood glucose levels) after eating

- Paratyroidhormone (PTH) – raises - Also functions as an exocrine gland -

blood calcium (opposite effect of secretes pancreatic juices that are
calcitonin from thyroid) to maintain carried to small intestines to aid in
proper levels of circulating calcium digestion) and

D. Adrenal Glands Location: Fish-shaped organ behind stomach

Function: Helps the body prepare for and deal Hormones of the Pancreas
with stress
Insulin – lowers blood glucose; promotes
Location: “Suprarenal” glands because storage of glycogen in liver and muscles
found above each kidney
Glucagon– raises blood glucose
Hormones of the Adrenal Gland
Diseases of Pancreas
Epinephrine (adrenaline) & Norepinephrine
released in emergency or stress situations to Diabetes Mellitus
raise blood glucose levels and prepare the
body for the “fight or flight” response - Decreased secretion of insulin can
affect metabolism of carbohydrates,
Cortisol: “stress hormone” that raises blood proteins, fats
glucose by stimulating the breakdown of - 2 types of D.M.
proteins
- Too much suppresses immune system

5
F. Thymus H. Testes

Function: Active in early life activating cells in Function: stimulate sperm production and
the immune system male sex characteristics

- Atrophies (stops functioning) during Location: scrotal sac and suspended outside
puberty the body

Location: Mass of tissue found under the Hormone of the Testes

sternum
Testosterone - regulates sexual characteristics
Hormone of the Thymus Gland of male

Thymosin stimulates production of antibodies I. Pineal Gland

in early years
Function: regulates sleep/wake cycle

Location: in the brain

Hormone of the Pineal Gland

Melatonin- released at night to make you

sleepy; not released during the day

- Regulates the circadian rhythm

(24-hour biological clock)
G. Ovaries
III. Anabolic Steroids
Function: regulate menstruation and female
sexual characteristics - Synthetic form of testosterone used to
treat some diseases
Location: Located behind pelvic cavity
- Sometimes illegally abused by athletes
Hormones of the Ovaries to enhance performance and build
muscle mass
Estrogen – promotes growth and development
of sex organs in female IV. Endocrine System Maintains Homeostasis

Progesterone – maintains lining of the uterus Homeostasis means “the maintenance of

stable internal conditions in an organism”.

6
Homeostasis is maintained though a system C. Leptin & Negative Feedback
called negative feedback
- Fat cells produce the hormone leptin
A. Negative Feedback Loop when they are filled.

- Through negative feedback, when the
amount of a particular hormone in the
blood reaches a certain level, the
endocrine system sends signals that
stop the release of that hormone.
- Sometimes a hormone with an
opposing function may be released, if
needed
- Leptin is transported in the blood to the
brain where it helps to suppress a
person appetite.
- When the fat is used, the amount of
leptin decreases, which causes the brain
to start to feel hunger again

B. Pancreas & Negative Feedback

Secretes insulin and glucagon to regulate the

glucose (sugar) levels in the blood

1. Steps to Negative Feedback Involving the

Pancreas

STEP 1: The pancreas releases insulin when

there is too much sugar in the blood.

STEP 2: Insulin stimulates the liver to remove

sugar from the blood and store it as glycogen.

STEP 3: When there is not enough sugar in the

blood, the pancreas releases glucagon.

STEP 4: Glucagon signals the liver to release

glucose back into the blood