credits: NATSCI 112 students of Mrs. Luz Badoria

1. The Endocrine System

2. Endocrine System
- is made up of glands that produce and secretehormones,
chemicalsubstances produced in the body that regulatethe
activityof cells or organs. These hormones regulatethe body's
growth, metabolism (the physical and chemicalprocesses of
the body), and sexual developmentand function.
-the glands are capable ofsynthesizing and releasing special
chemicalmessengers - hormones
Hormones
chemical messengers created by the body. They transfer
information from one set of cells to another to coordinate the
functions of different parts of the body.

3. Functions of the Hypothalamus
The hypothalamus controls the autonomic
nervous system.
The hypothalamus contains the thirst center,
the hunger center and the body's thermostat.
The hypothalamus controls
thehypophysis (pituitary gland).
The hypothalamus is the site of emotions
and the effect emotions can have on the body.

4. Pituitary Gland
- also known as the “The Master Gland.”
- is a small pea-sized lump of tissue connected to
the inferior portion of the hypothalamus of the
brain.
-is located at the base of the brain beneath the
hypothalamus and is no larger than a pea. It is
often considered the most important part of the
endocrine system because it produces hormones
that control many functions of other endocrine
glands.

5. Posterior
Lobe
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Oxytocin
Stimulates the kidneys
to conserve water
Females: causes
contraction of the
uterus and ejection of
breast milk
Males: stimulates
contraction of the
prostate and vas
deferens during
sexual arousal
Pituitary Gland

6. Pituitary Gland
Anterior Pituitary:
The anterior pituitary gland is the true
glandular part of the pituitary gland. The
function of the anterior pituitary gland is
controlled by the releasing and inhibiting
hormones of the hypothalamus. The anterior
pituitary produces 5 important hormones:

7. Pituitary Gland ****
Anterior
Lobe
Growth hormone
Prolactin
Adrenocorticotropic
Thyroid-stimulating
Follicle-stimulating
Luteinizing
Stimulates milk
production
Stimulates the adrenal cortex
to release its hormones
Stimulates the thyroid
gland to release its
hormones
Females: stimulates estrogen
production and maturation of
the ova
Males: stimulates sperm
production
Females: stimulates ovulation
and estrogen production
Males: stimulates testosterone
production
Stimulates increase in size
of muscles and bones

8. FUNCTION OF THE THYROID GLAND
The primary function of your thyroid gland is to secrete
thyroid hormones, which are responsible for controlling your
body’s metabolism. The 2 main thyroid hormones are T3
(triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). The amount of thyroid
hormones secreted is controlled by another hormone, called
thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is released from
the pituitary gland in your head.
The thyroid hormones are involved in regulating many of
your bodily functions, such as your heart rate, how quickly
you burn calories, and digestion. Babies and children need
adequate amounts of thyroid hormones for brain
development and growth.

9. I. ADRENAL CORTEX
 the outer portion of the adrenal glands, produces several
hormones that affect blood pressure and blood sugar levels,
growth, as well as some sexual characteristics.
 Death would result if the adrenal cortex were to stop
functioning as it controls metabolic processes that are essential
to life.
Main hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex:
 Aldosterone
 Stimulates body to retain sodium and water
 Important in maintaining Blood Pressure
 Cortisone
 Released when stressed
 Decreases protein synthesis, resulting in slowed tissue repair
 Decreases inflammation

10.  II. MEDULLA
 inner part of the adrenal glands, produces hormones which
regulate the "fight or flight" response in the body, the body's
reaction to stressful events.
 hormones produced by the medulla:
 EPINEPHRINE – raises blood sugar level, causes nervousness
and perspiration during acute emergencies.
 It also increases muscular power and resistance to fatigue.
 NOREPINEPHRINE - prepares an individual in dealing with
stress and emergencies
 it is also referred to as a stress hormone
 There are no significant effects if this portion of the suprarenal
gland is not working properly.

11.  EXOCRINE GLAND
The exocrine gland secretes digestive enzymes.
These enzymes are secreted into a network of ducts
that join the main pancreatic duct, which runs the
length of the pancreas.
 ENDOCRINE GLAND
The endocrine gland, which consists of the Islets
of Langerhans, secretes hormones into the
bloodstream.

12.  Endocrine/Hormonal Function:
 Two of the main pancreatic hormones that are
created and released directly into the
bloodstream are insulin, which acts to lower
blood sugar, and glucagon, which acts to raise
blood sugar.
 Maintaining proper blood sugar levels is crucial to
the functioning of key organs including the brain,
liver, and kidneys.

13. Insulin is released by
the beta cells which
stimulate the glucose
to be sent to the
body’s cells and
convert unused
glucose to glycogen
Low
Blood sugar
Glucagon is released by
the alpha cells which
stimulate stored
glycogen to be
transformed into
glucose again.
Blood sugar
Elevated

14. Insulin decreasesblood glucoseconcentrationand
increasesprotein synthesis.
Glucagondoes justthe opposite. Itincreasesblood***
glucoseand decreasesprotein synthesis.
Blood glucose
concentrations
Protein synthesis
Blood glucose
concentrations
Protein synthesis
INSULIN GLUCAGON

15.  TESTES
 Male sex hormones, as a group, are called
androgens.The principal androgen is
testosterone, which is secreted by the testes.
A small amount is also produced by the
adrenal cortex.
 Production of testosterone begins during
fetal development, continues for a short time
after birth, nearly ceases during childhood,
and then resumes at puberty.

16.  This steroid hormone is responsible for:
 The growth and development of the male reproductive
structures
 Increased skeletal and muscular growth
 Enlargement of the larynx accompanied by voice changes
 Growth and distribution of body hair
 Increased male sexual drive
 Testosterone secretion is regulated by a negative
feedback system that involves releasing hormones
from the hypothalamus and gonadotropins from
the anterior pituitary.
TESTES

17. OVARIES
 Two groups of female sex hormones are
produced in the ovaries, the estrogens and
progesterone.These steroid hormones
contribute to the development and function of
the female reproductive organs and sex
characteristics

18. Gigantism
Gigantism is a rare condition that
causes abnormal growth in
children. It occurs when a child’s
body produces too much growth
hormone. Early diagnosis is
important. Prompt treatment can
stop or slow the changes that may
cause a child to grow larger than
normal. However, the condition
can be hard for parents to detect,
since symptoms of gigantism
might first be seen as normal
childhood growth spurts.

19. Dwarfism
Is a short stature that results
from a genetic or medical
condition. Dwarfism is
generally defined as an adult
height of 4 feet 10 inches or
less (147 centimeters).The
average adult height among
people with dwarfism is 4
feet (122 cm).