Hormonal imbalance, either due to hormone deficiency or excess production, can cause many health problems. Deficiencies can result in stunted growth and development, while excesses can cause abnormal growth or early puberty. The effects depend on the hormone - for example, thyroid hormone deficiency can cause cretinism in children or accumulation of fat/rough skin in adults, while excess causes increased metabolism; insulin deficiency results in diabetes but excess lowers blood sugar too much. Hormonal coordination works together with the nervous system to help the body respond appropriately to stimuli over the long-term by secreting chemicals called hormones via the bloodstream to target organs throughout the body.

1. 2.6.2 The effects of hormonal imbalance on
health
• Hormonal balance is very important for the maintenance og
good physical and mental health
• This will enables us to lead a healthy life
• Hormonal imbalance either due to a deficiency or excessive
hormone production can cause many health problems

2. Hormone Effects of deficiency Effects of excessive hormones
1. Thyroxine -Stunted physical and mental
development in
children(cretinism),
-In adultbuild up of
subcutaneous fat, rough skin and
lack of energy
-Results in goitre
-Increase metabolic rate,heartbeat
and restlessness
2. Insulin -diabetes mellitus with symptom
of high blood pressure level and
sugar in the urine
-abnormal in lowering of blood sugar
level(hypoglycaemia) which could
lead to shock and coma
3. Growth
Hormone (GH)
-results in dwarfism -results in gigantism in childhood
-acromegaly in adult
4. Testosterone -deters the development of male
sex characteristics in adults
-excessive male characteristics and
early puberty
5. Oestrogen -deters the development of
secondary sex characteristics in
female
-excessive female characteristics and
early puberty
6. Progesterone -abortion of embryo -failure the delivery at the correct
time

4. Similarities and differences between nervous
coordination and hormonal coordination
SIMILARITIES:
• Play the role of adjusting and correlating the activities of the
various body system
• Respond to stimuli
• Perform appropriate reactions when being stimulated
• Have target organs

5. Nervous Coordination
( Nervous System)
Differences Hormonal Coordination
(endocrine system)
Neurone network, the brain
and the spinal cord
COMPONENT Endocrine glands (ductless
gland)
Electrochemical impulse AGENT INVOLVED Chemical substances
(hormones)
Nerve fibres TRANSPORT Bloodstream
Instant; fast; within
miliseconds
SPEED OF
REACTION
Slower; within minutes, hours
or even longer
Short term EFFECTIVE PERIOD Long term
Specific organs TARGET AREAS Wide areas; may be throughout
the whole body

6. Example of coordination between the nervous system
and the endocrine system in response to a specific
stimulus
A robber holding a knife
approaches Ali
Ali sees the robber
approaching him and sends
a nervous impulse to the
brain
The brain interprets the
impulse and decides to
fight the robber
At the same time,
the adrenal glands
receive an impulse
and secrete more
adrenaline
The brain sends an
impulse to the body
muscles for action
Ali fights with the robber
and overpowers him
Ali’s heart beat,
respiration and blood
pressure increase
preparing him for the
fight

7. Importance of coordination between the
nervous system and the endocrine system
• Enables the body to carry out its activities and functions
efficiently and smoothly
• Enables the body to respond to stimuli effectively so as to
take action quickly and avoid injury
• Enables the nervous system to detect changes in the body or
environment and relate it to the endocrine system for
producing the hormones required for joint response and
action

8. Exercise: Hormonal Coordination in the body
1. Which endocrine gland is called the master gland?
A. Thyroid gland
B. Pituitary gland
C. Adrenal gland
D. Pancreas
2. Which gland through its secretion prepares the body for emergency?
A. Thyroid gland
B. Pituitary gland
C. Adrenal gland
D. Pancreas

9. 3. Which endocrine gland is also part of the digestive system?
A. Thyroid gland
B. Pituitary gland
C. Adrenal gland
D. Pancreas
4. A man is suffering from hypertension or high blood pressure.
Which endocrine gland is usually associated with this ailment?
A. Thyroid gland
B. Pituitary gland
C. Adrenal gland
D. Pancreas

10. 5. A man is suffering from diabetes. This is caused by the
insufficient secretion of a hormone produced by
A. Thyroid gland
B. Pituitary gland
C. Adrenal gland
D. Pancreas
6. What are hormones?
7. How are hormones sent out to their target organs?
8. What is the function of the hormone insulin?
9. We become very energetic when we become aggressive.
What hormone causes this?
10. What happens to a child who lacks thyroxine?