X-Sheet10

Endocrine System and Thermo Regulation

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 Animal Responses to the Environment:
Endocrine System and Thermo Regulation

Terminology & definitions

Hormones: organic chemical messengers secreted directly into the blood by an
endocrine gland. Hormones cause target organs to perform a specific function.
Hyperthyroidism: Increased levels of thyroxin in the blood due to over-activity of the
thyroid.
Hypothyroidism: Decreased levels of thyroxin in the blood due to under-activity of the
thyroid.
Homeostasis: is the maintenance of a relatively balanced and constant internal
environment by means of the negative feedback mechanism.
Negative feedback mechanism: when there is an increase from normal, a corrective
mechanism causes a decrease and vice versa to maintain a balanced system.
Thermoregulation: a regulatory process to keep a constant body temperature in
homoeothermic animals like birds and mammals.
Hypothermia: when the body becomes so cold that the internal mechanisms cannot keep
the internal core body temperature constant.
Hyperthermia: when the body becomes too hot and the internal mechanisms are unable
to cool the internal core body temperature down sufficiently.

Key Concepts / Diagrams

The Endocrine system works in conjunction with the Nervous system. The endocrine
system is responsible for chemical coordination, regulating the functioning of all the
organs in the body. The endocrine glands produce organic chemical messengers called
hormones. All endocrine glands are ductless so hormones are secreted directly into the
blood. Each gland has a rich supply of blood to transport the hormones to the target
organs. Hormones generally consist of proteins and fats, but some (like the sex
hormones) consist of fats only. Hormones control the activities of a target organ, but do
not themselves perform the activity. Hormones work together as an integrated system
where they either stimulate or inhibit organs.

Processes are regulated by chemical co-ordination to ensure normal growth, development

and functioning of all the systems in a coordinated manner. This coordination ensures
the control of:
 tissue fluid
 nutrients
 blood pressure
 body temperature
 blood glucose levels
 osmoregulation (water)
 oxygen and carbon dioxide levels
 salt concentrations (electrolytes)

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 Animal Responses to the Environment:
Endocrine System and Thermo Regulation

Endocrine glands in the body and the hormones that they secrete:

Exocrine glands
Exocrine glands are glands that secrete substances into ducts that lead into cavities in
the body or lead directly to the external environment. Examples are sweat glands,
mammary glands, the liver, salivary glands and the pancreas.

Endocrine gland table (Learn Well):

Hormone Gland Location Function Effect of under- and

oversecretion
Growth Anterior lobe Base of the For growth, repair Oversecretion:
hormone of the pituitary brain and and replacement of Children – giantism
(somatotrophin) gland attached to cells Adults – acromegaly
the Undersecretion:
hypothalamus Children – pituitary
dwarf
Adults – premature
senility
Follicle Anterior lobe Base of the In males: No over- or
stimulating of the pituitary brain and stimulates undersecretion effects
hormone (FSH) gland attached to spermatogenesis
the In females:
hypothalamus stimulates the
development of the
follicle for process
of ovulation
Luteinising Anterior lobe Base of the In males: No over- or
hormone (LH) of the pituitary brain and stimulates the undersecretion effects
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gland attached to synthesis of the

the hormone
hypothalamus testosterone by the
Leydig cells in the
testes
In females: LH
stimulates the
release of the
secondary oocyte
from the Graafian
follicle and then the
development into
the corpus luteum
Thyroid- Anterior lobe Base of the Stimulates the Oversecretion: goitre
stimulating of the pituitary brain and production of Undersecretion: lack
hormone (TSH) gland attached to thyroxin by the of production of
the thyroid gland thyroxin – thyroid gland
hypothalamus is understimulated
Antidiuretic Neurosecretory In the centre Regulates Oversecretion: water
hormone (ADH) cells of the of the brain osmoregulation in retention and swelling
hypothalamus the kidneys (in the (oedema)
(ADH is stored distil convoluted Undersecretion:
in the posterior tubules and the dehydration
lobe of the collecting tubules)
pituitary gland)

Thyroxin Thyroid gland Below the  Regulates the Oversecretion: goitre

larynx in the basal metabolic Undersecretion:
neck region rate of the cells Children – cretinism
in the body Adults – myxodema
 Affects growth
and functioning
of the heart and
the nervous
system
 Stimulates
growth and
differentiation of
tissue in a
foetus and in
children
 Regulates the
body
temperature
when stimulated
by the

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hypothalamus
Aldosterone Cortex of the Above the Helps the uptake of Oversecretion:
adrenal gland kidney sodium ions in the oedema (water
loop of Henle in the retention)
kidneys Undersecretion:
Addison’s disease
Adrenalin Medulla of the Above the Prepares the body There are no known
(fight-and-flight adrenal gland kidney to deal with stress: over- or undersecretion
hormone)  Increase in effects. The
heartbeat rate sympathetic and
 Increase in parasympathetic
breathing rate nervous system
 Increase in controls the release of
blood pressure adrenalin
 Increase in
muscle tone
 Increase in
blood sugar
levels
 Decrease in
blood supply to
the skin and
digestive system
 Causes pupils to
dilate
Glucagon Islets of Endocrine Controls the No over- or
Langerhans – cells of the increase in the undersecretion effects
alpha cells pancreas blood sugar level by
causing the
conversion of
glycogen to glucose
Insulin Islets of Endocrine  Controls blood Oversecretion:
Langerhans – cells of the sugar by obesity
beta cells pancreas causing the Undersecretion:
conversion of diabetes
glucose into
glycogen
 Inhibits the
functioning of
glucagon
Testosterone Gonads: testes Leydig cells in  Testosterone is Oversecretion:
the testes of responsible for aggression. In females,
males located the secondary it results in secondary
in the scrotum sexual sexual characteristics
at the bottom characteristics similar to that in males

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Endocrine System and Thermo Regulation

of the pelvis in males like a

Undersecretion: lack
deeper voice, of secondary sexual
pubic hair, hair characteristics and lack
on face of healthy sperm
 Necessary for production
the normal
development of
sperm
 Activates genes
in the cells of
Sertoli to
promote the
differentiation of
the
spermatogonia
Oestrogen Gonads: Located in the  Oestrogen Oversecretion: may
ovaries lower promotes the cause cancer
abdominal development of Undersecretion:
region with the secondary menstruation cycle is
each ovary sexual affected, ovulation may
located within characteristics be prevented leading
the pelvic in females like to infertility, onset of
bones (in line breasts, the menopause may occur
with the ball- thickening of the
and-socket endometrium
joints of the (uterus) and the
femurs) female body
shape
 Necessary for
the process of
ovulation
 Oestrogen
inhibits the
secretion of
FSH by the
anterior pituitary
gland so that
only one follicle
is produced
during ovulation
 High oestrogen
levels will trigger
the secretion of
luteinising
hormone (LH)
Progesterone Gonads: Located in the  Progesterone Undersecretion:
ovaries lower prepares the during pregnancy, will
abdominal cause a spontaneous
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region with endometrium of miscarriage

each ovary the uterus for
located within implantation
the pelvic once fertilisation
bones (in line of the egg cell
with the ball- has occurred
and-socket  Necessary for
joints of the the production
femurs) of the mucus
plug to prevent
sperm or other
substances from
entering the
uterus during
pregnancy
 Decrease in
progesterone
levels causes
menstruation
 Progesterone
improves
memory and
cognitive ability
Prolactin Anterior lobe of Base of the  Stimulates the Oversecretion: can
the pituitary brain and mammary cause impotence and
gland attached to glands to loss of libido
the produce milk
hypothalamus  Counteracts the
effect of
dopamine which
is responsible
for sexual
arousal

Homeostasis
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively constant internal environment by
automatic control mechanisms. Cells will function normally, regardless of the external
environment. The nervous system controls all the systems in the body either directly or
indirectly. Homeostasis of the endocrine system occurs through the negative feedback
mechanism. Feedback systems are important because they ensure that all the systems
are interrelated and work together. When there is an increase from normal, a corrective
mechanism will cause it to decrease and vice versa. This ensures that a balance is
maintained within the body.

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Control of Thyroxin:

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Blood glucose control:

The blood glucose level is controlled by the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.

Diabetics take insulin by injection. It is absorbed into the bloodstream at a much faster
rate. If taken orally, there is a chance that digestive enzymes will denature insulin
because it is a hormone and therefore consists of proteins.

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Differences between the Endocrine System and the Nervous System

Endocrine system Nervous system
1. Made up of glands 1. Made up of nerves
2. Produces hormones 2. Produces nerve impulses
3. Hormones transported by the blood 3. Impulses transmitted along the nerves
4. Effects are slower and more general 4. Effects are very quick and very
5. Hormones control long-term changes specific
(e.g. growth) 5. Nerve impulses control short-term
changes (e.g. sneezing, lifting your
arm)
Thermoregulation
Body temperature must be kept constant in homoeothermic organisms like birds and
mammals. Optimal body temperature in humans is between 36,6 ºC and 37 ºC. If the
temperature is too high, the proteins will denature and be unable to function. If the
temperature is too low, the proteins will become inactive – the body temperature must be
kept constant. The hypothalamus stimulates various systems to regulate the body
temperature. When the body is hot, the hypothalamus will stimulate the pituitary to release
more ADH and less thyroxin. When the body is cold, the opposite will take place.

Hot day Cold day

The body gets hot:
 You need more water in the blood to
make more sweat to cool you down
 More ADH is released by the pituitary
gland to keep more water in the blood
 Blood vessels near the surface of the
skin dilate (vasodilation), so more
blood reaches the sweat glands
 More sweat evaporates, cooling the skin
and the blood in the vessels near the
surface of the skin
 This means that you will produce more
concentrated urine (less water in the
urine)
 The hairs in the skin lie flat so no heat is
trapped between the skin and the hairs
 The pituitary gland inhibits the thyroid
so less thyroxin is released causing a
decrease in cell metabolism, so less
energy is released – body cools down
The body gets cold:
 You need less water in the blood as you
do not need to produce sweat
 Less ADH is released by the pituitary
gland to keep less water in the blood
 Blood vessels near the surface of the
skin constrict (vasoconstriction), so
less blood reaches the sweat glands
 No sweat evaporates, so there is no
cooling of the skin and the blood in the
surface vessels
 This means that you will produce less
concentrated urine (dilute urine)
 The hairs in the skin are pulled upright
by the erector muscles to trap warm air
(goose bumps)
 The pituitary gland stimulates the
thyroid so more thyroxin is released,
causing an increase in cell metabolism.
More energy is released and causes
shivering – body warms up

Hypothermia (HypO – Ohhh, it is Cooooold): occurs when the body is exposed to cold
and the internal mechanisms cannot keep the internal core body temperature
constant. Preventative measures: keep the body warm, keep moving, exercise, dress
warmly, add more clothes and blankets, drink hot drinks, warm the body near a fire or
heater, stay in a warm, protected environment etc.
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Hyperthermia: occurs when the body becomes too hot and is unable to cool the internal
core temperature down sufficiently. This results in dehydration, heat stroke and heat
exhaustion. Preventative measures: the body can be cooled by changing the external
temperature, for example cold compressions on the neck and forehead, swimming, taking
a cold shower or bath, taking extra layers of clothes off, staying in the shade, wearing a
hat, moving into an air conditioned room etc.

Thermoregulation – animal adaptations

Various species of animals have behavioural, physical and physiological adaptations to
deal with thermoregulation:
 Panting – dogs.
 Insulation: fat layers under the skin e.g. blubber of marine mammals like whales and
seals; trapped air under the fur of their bodies e.g. rabbits and cats; thicker winter
coat of fur e.g. bears and squirrels and birds ruffle their feathers and trap the air
between the feathers and skin.
 Body size: the metabolic rate of a small animal is faster than that of a larger animal.
The smaller the animal, the larger the body surface in relation to mass - smaller
animals lose heat to a cold environment more rapidly than the larger animal. Larger
animals can retain more heat.
 Heat exchange mechanism: counter-current exchange mechanism involves two
blood vessels that are in close contact with blood flowing in opposite directions, for
example an artery and a vein. The body temperature may rise or fall, but the
temperature of the thoracic cavity and brain will stay constant.
 Body orientation: reptiles orientate their bodies to the sun, depending on whether
they need to warm up or cool down.
 Water conservation: kangaroo rat and camels.
 Behaviour patterns
o Hibernation: e.g. squirrels, bats, bears, rodents, hedgehogs, marsupials and
rattlesnakes.
o Aestivation: e.g. ladybeetles, some species of snails, land crabs, desert tortoises,
crocodiles, salamanders, some amphibians and lungfish.
o Burrowing
o Nocturnal behaviour: animals come out at night e.g. bats, bush-babies and
genets.

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X-ample Questions

QUESTION 1:
(Taken from Study and Master Grade 12, 2003)

Study the diagram and answer the questions that follow:

1.1. Identify the organs marked A and B. (2)

1.2. Identify the hormones numbered 1 and 2. (2)
1.3. Name the exact structures that secrete hormones numbered 1 and 2
respectively. (2)
1.4. How do the hormones mentioned in question 1.2 reach the target organ A? (1)
1.5. Which organ (A or B) monitors the blood sugar levels? (1)
1.6. Name the abnormality that may develop from an under-secretion of the
hormone numbered 1. (1)
1.7. What effect does the secretion of adrenalin have on the normal blood sugar
level? (1)

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QUESTION 2:
(Taken from Study and Master Grade 12, 2003)

Study the diagram and answer the questions that follow:

2.1. Identify the endocrine glands marked A and B. (2)

2.2. Which interaction is depicted by this diagram? (1)
2.3. Name the hormones numbered 1 and 2. (2)
2.4. Name the specific function performed by hormone number 2 as shown
at point X in this interaction. (1)
2.5. What effect will:
a) an over-secretion, and
b) an under-secretion of hormone number 2 have on the production of
hormone number 1? (2)
2.6. Name the hormone secreted by endocrine A necessary for normal growth
and development. (1)
2.7. List FOUR specific characteristics of hormones. (4)

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QUESTION 3:
(Taken from BIOS BEST 2007 HG)

Study the diagram of the human skin and answer the questions that follow:

3.1. Provide labels for structures A, B, D and E. (4)

3.2. State ONE function of C and D respectively. (4)
3.3. Describe the role played by the skin in regulating blood temperature on a
cold day. (9)

X-ercise
Complete the following table.

Gland Hormone Function

Adrenal Medulla 1 Prepares the body for action in an emergency

situation
Pituitary gland 2 Stimulates the production of thyroxin
(Anterior lobe)
Thyroid Thyroxin 3
4 Somatotrophin Regulates growth and development of muscle tissue
Beta cells of the 5 Causes the decrease of blood sugar levels
Islets of
Langerhans
Neurosecretory 6 Regulates water levels in the blood
cells of the
Hypothalamus
Alpha cells of the 7 8
Islets of
Langerhans
9 10 Necessary for the normal development of sperm cells

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Answers to X-ercise:
1. Adrenalin
2. TSH
3. Regulates the basal metabolic rate
4. Pituitary gland (anterior lobe)
5. Insulin
6. ADH
7. Glucagon
8. Causes an increase in blood sugar levels
9. Testes / Male gonads
10. Testosterone

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