THE

ENDOCRINE
SYSTEM
Essential Questions
• What does the endocrine system do?
• How does the endocrine system interact
with other body systems?
 What do you think?
Before you proceed, decide if you agree
or disagree with each of these
Get statements. As we discuss this chapter,
see if you change your mind about any of

Ready
the statements.

to Read
• Positive feedback mechanisms in
humans help maintain homeostasis

• Endocrine glands secrete hormones

Learning Targets:
At the end of the lesson, you should be
able to:
• Describe the functions of each
endocrine glands and their hormones
• Explain the vital function of the
endocrine system
• Explain the difference in hormone
control by positive and negative
feedback systems
 Functions of the
Endocrine System
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
–consists of group of organs and tissues that
release chemical messages into the
bloodstream
ENDOCRINE GLANDS
–tissues that secrete chemical molecules
HORMONE
–is a chemical that is produced by an
endocrine gland in one part of the organism
and is carried in the bloodstream to another
part of the organism
• The messages sent by the endocrine
system are transmitted less rapidly
than messages sent by the nervous
system
• The chemical messages usually are
sent to more cells and last longer than
the messages sent by the nervous
system
Examples:
• A message from the nervous system
might cause a body movement
• A message from the endocrine
system might cause your body to grow
taller over a period of time
 Endocrine Glands and
their Hormones
• Hormones move from endocrine glands
to other parts of the body in the blood
stream.
• Hormones affect the functions of
organs and tissues by carrying
messages to specific cells – TARGET
CELLS
• The hormone attaches to the target cells
as it recognizes its receptor proteins
and bind with it to deliver its chemical
message.
• The target cell responds by taking a
specific action.
 The Path of a
Hormone

1 2 3

• Endocrine • Hormone • Hormone

gland cells molecules molecules attach
to receptor
release travel proteins on target
hormone throughout the cells. The
molecules into body in the hormone
the bloodstream molecule fits into
bloodstream to reach target the protein
cells receptor like a
key first into a
lock.
 Endocrine Glands and Hormones
GLAND LOCATION HORMONES RELEASED FUNCTION
Pituitary at the base of Oxytocin, Vasopressin, Stimulates growth
the brain Growth Hormone, and controls the
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone functions of other
(ACTH), Prolactin, glands
Luteinizing Hormone, Follicle
Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Thyroid Below the Thyroxin, Calcitonin Regulates body
voice box metabolism and
causes storage of
calcium in bones
Parathyroid In the neck Parathyromone Controls the
calcium levels in
your body and
normalizes bone
growth
 GLAND LOCATION HORMONES FUNCTION
RELEASED

Thymus In front of Thymosine Enables the body to

the heart produce certain
antibodies
Adrenal On top of the Adrenaline Prepares the body for
kidneys action, controls the heart
rate and breathing in
times of emergency
Pancreas Between the Insulin, Regulates blood sugar
kidneys Glucagon level
Reproductive Lower Androgen, Control maturation and
Testes (Males) abdomen Testosterone male characteristics

Lower Estrogen, Influence female traits

Ovaries abdomen Progesterone and support reproductive
(Females) function
Hormonal Imbalance
• Result of hormones acting
in very small amounts
• Abnormality in the body
in which the organ and
hormones do not produce
the regulated amount of
chemicals to the body
The Endocrine System
and Homeostasis
• Glands help maintain homeostasis by
releasing hormones in response to stimuli
• Hormones change the function of other
tissues and organs in the body that
regulate internal conditions

Feedback Systems
• Negative Feedback Systems
• Positive Feedback
Negative Feedback
Mechanism

• Is a control system
where the effect of a
hormone inhibits further
release of hormone
• Endocrine system uses
negative feedback and
controls the amount of
hormone that a gland
releases
Positive Feedback
Systems
• Is a control system in which
the effect of a hormone
causes more of the hormone
to be released
• Does not help maintain
homeostasis, body uses
fewer positive feedback
systems
What do you think NOW?
You first read the statements below at
the beginning of this lesson.

• Positive feedback mechanisms in

humans help maintain homeostasis

• Endocrine glands secrete hormones

Did you change your mind about

whether you agree or disagree with the
statements? Rewrite any false
statements to make them true.