2.

2 The Endocrine System

Hormones
Pituitary Gland
Pineal Gland
Adrenal Gland
Gonads
What is the endocrine system?

the body’s “slow”

chemical communication system;
a set of glands that secrete
hormones into the bloodstream
 What is the difference between the nervous
system and the endocrine system?
nervous system endocrine system

▪ Neurons release
neurotransmitters ▪ Glands secrete hormones

▪ Hormones move through the

▪ Neurotransmitters move across bloodstream
synapses
▪ Hormonal secretion is slower
▪ Neural transmission is nano-fast
▪ “email”
▪ “text message”
 3. What Would You Answer?

Hormones are _____ released into the

bloodstream.

A. neurons
B. myelin
C. action potentials
D. electrical messengers
E. chemical messengers
What are the glands of the endocrine system?
The Endocrine System
• Controlled by the Hypothalamus
• Helps coordinate and integrate complex psychological
reactions
• Endocrine glands secrete hormones into the
bloodstream. It is much slower than the nervous system.
• Hormones are chemical substances (similar in function to
neurotransmitters) that help regulate bodily activities.
 What is the pituitary gland?

The pituitary gland is the endocrine system’s most influential gland.

The hypothalamus directs the pituitary gland to regulate growth and
control other endocrine glands.
The hypothalamus is part of both the CNS and the endocrine system.
Pituitary gland
▪ The pituitary gland is the “master gland” of the
endocrine system.
▪ It is controlled through the nervous system by the
nearby brain area--the hypothalamus.
▪ The pituitary gland produces hormones that regulate
other glands such as the thyroid.

8
Pituitary Gland
• Influences blood pressure, thirst, contractions
of the uterus during childbirth, sexual
behavior and interest, body growth etc.
• It also produces human growth hormone
(hGH) (especially during sleep) and oxytocin,
the “bonding” hormone.
Pineal gland
• Secretes melatonin
which regulates the
sleep-wake cycle
• Disturbances in
melatonin are
responsible for “jet
lag”
Thyroid gland
• Secretes hormones (primarily thyroxin) that
control metabolism
– How alert and energetic and how much
weight you carry
– Overactive Thyroid can mean insomnia,
reduced attention span, agitation
– Too little thyroxin can mean feeling
constantly tired
 What are the adrenal glands?

When the sympathetic nervous system is activated (during a fight,

flight, or freeze event), the adrenal glands release epinephrine and
norepinephrine (adrenaline and noradrenaline) to energize the body.
 Adrenal Glands

 Amygdala warns the hypothalamus of a threat which then triggers the

adrenal glands to release epinephrine (adrenaline) to energize the
body during a fight or flight response.
 Causes increased blood glucose, fatty acids and energy production
within the body's cells.
 increased heart rate, contracted blood vessels and dilated air
passages.

Ultimately, these changes allow more blood to get to the muscles and get
more oxygen to the lungs quickly—so your physical performance improves
and you're primed to either flee from danger or defend yourself.
 Fun fact! Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) is
both a hormone and a neurotransmitter.

Epinephrine (adrenaline) energizes the body, but

norepinephrine (noradrenaline) is released in the PNS
to calm the body.
Pancreas – Regulates blood-
sugar levels
– Secretes insulin and
glucagon
– Husbands and wives reported being
most unhappy with their spouses
when their blood-sugar levels were
lowest, usually at night, according to
research released today in the
Proceedings of the National Aca
demy of Sciences
. Missing a meal, dieting or just
being hungry may be the reason,
researchers said.
Gonads
• Ovaries and testes secrete estrogens and androgens (testosterone)
• These hormones play a role in development, aggression, sexual
drive and brain growth during prenatal development
• Testosterone - testosterone levels are higher in individuals with
aggressive behavior
○ Testosterone activates the subcortical areas of the brain to
produce aggression, while cortisol and serotonin act
antagonistically with testosterone to reduce its effects.