Endocrine Body System Study Guide

The endocrine system glands produce hormones in the body to allow the body to regulate many functions such as sleeping, metabolism, reproduction, growth, development and it regulates the body's behavior. The endocrine system has an impact on almost all of the organs in the human body (Zimmermann, K.A., 11 March 2016).

*Endocrine glands produce – hormones, they work with other hormones to perform many functions including: control water & electrolyte balance, regulating carbohydrate metabolism, working as neurotransmitters, maintaining stress & inflammation, regulate reproductive functions

The pancreas is located between the stomach and small intestine, and secretes insulin and glucagon to balance blood sugar levels in the body. When the pancreas does not work properly, a person may be diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, which is more commonly known simply as Diabetes (Morris and Maisto, 2002). People with diabetes suffer from extreme thirst, fatigue, lack of or increased appetite, and a myriad of other symptoms if their condition is not controlled properly with diet, exercise, and medications (if needed) (Steadman’s Concise Medical Dictionary, 2001).

The adrenal gland is the endocrine gland that is activated when one is surprised or experience fear. This adrenal gland is located at the top of the kidneys. The fear hormones known as epinephrine circulates through the bloodstream to all cells of your body ("Fear: Body Alert!" 2013). The effects of adrenaline which is also called epinephrine is similar to the effects of the sympathetic nerve action. These glands increase blood flow to the brain and muscles in defense of the flight or fight response (Griggs, 2014, p.

The Female Reproductive System parts are gametes, which is a mature haploid male or female germ cell that is able to unite with another of the opposite sex in several reproductions to form a zygote. Egg is a person possessing a specified quantity. Ovum is a mature female reproductive cell especially of a human or other animal that van divide to give rise to an embryo usually only after fertilization by a male cell. Vaginal is a muscular tube leading from the external genitals to the cervix of the uterus in women and most female mammals. Labia is the inner and outer folds of the vulva, at either side of the vagina. Clitoris is a small sensitive and erectile part of the female genitals at the anterior end of the vulva. Urethra is a duct by

Hormones promote homeostasis by releasing hormones that regulate the level of chemicals in the body. For instance, the thyroid gland releases the hormone calcitonin, which regulates the breaking down and rebuilding of bone. Additionally, calcitonin regulates the levels of calcium in the blood.

The thyroid gland is the gland that makes and stores hormones that help regulate the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and metabolism. Thyroid hormones are essential for the function of every cell in the body. They help regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions in the body. Thyroid hormones also help children grow and develop. The thyroid gland is located in the lower part of the neck, below the Adam's apple, wrapped around the trachea. It has the shape of a butterfly with two lobes attached to one another by a middle part called the isthmus. The thyroid uses iodine, a mineral found in some foods and in iodized salt, to make its hormones. The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine

According to Shier, Butler & Lewis (2009) “other glands that produce hormones and thus are parts of the endocrine system include the pineal gland and the thymus gland”. Shier et al., 2009 argued the pineal gland, located deep between the cerebral hemispheres, secretes hormone melatonin that acts on certain brain regions that function as a biological clock. The changing levels of melatonin across 24 hours enable the body to know when day is and when is night.

The endocrine system functions involve the production of chemical secretions which aid in the body’s metabolic activity. The endocrine system secretes hormones that control metabolic processes, growth of the body and sexual development. They also regulate the use and storage of energy in the body, and regulate the fluid, salt, and sugar levels in the body. The eight glands that help aid the endocrine system are hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, adrenal glands, reproductive glands, pancreas and pineal gland. These glands can produce, secrete, and store many hormones.

The adrenal medulla is stimulated by the sympathetic nervous system to release norepinephrane and epinephrine in response to stress.

The adrenal gland is an organ involved in endocrine functions in the body. It is divided into adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. The adrenal medulla is part of the sympathetic nervous system. The adrenal cortex is part of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal endocrine system. It consists of three layers which are:

Triiodothyronine and thyroxine hormones help to jump start the engines in the body that produce proteins and increase the amount of oxygen used by cells. This signals individual cells to work efficiently to support healthy bodily functions. These hormones, (T3) and (T4), have an effect on metabolism which is the energy source of the body. When the thyroid gland produces too little or too many of these hormones, the

Adrenal gland is pyramidal shape gland situated above each kidney. They are consisted of two parts, which is adrenal medulla (internal part) and adrenal cortex (external part). Each gland only weight four gram. These parts are like the anterior and posterior pituitary, are two functionally distinct endocrine glands.

The thyroid gland, located in the neck, secretes hormones in response to stimulation by TSH from the pituitary gland. The thyroid secretes hormones—for example, thyroxin and three-iodothyronine—which regulate growth and metabolism, and play a role in brain development during childhood.

Adrenal glands, located near the kidneys, secrete several hormones that are activated by the nervous system. These hormones dictate the body’s reaction to stressful situations. Each person secretes a different amount of hormones, therefore affecting behavior in stressful situations differently (Morris & Maisto, 2005).