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Endocrine system and major glands overview

Homeostasis and response • Hormonal coordination in humans

Key concepts

What you'll likely be quizzed about

  • Hormones are chemicals secreted directly into the bloodstream by glands, reaching target organs to produce specific effects.
  • Hormonal signals operate more slowly than nerve impulses but have longer-lasting impacts and regulate various bodily processes.\n\nHormonal coordination relies on receptors to detect changes, glands to release hormones, and target organs to enact corrective measures.
  • Homeostasis typically employs negative feedback, where a change prompts hormone release that returns the level back to normal.

Flashcards

Test your knowledge with interactive flashcards

Name two hormones produced by the pituitary gland.

Click to reveal answer

ADH, which regulates water balance, and TSH, which stimulates the thyroid.

Key notes

Important points to keep in mind

Hormones are chemicals secreted by glands into the blood that act on specific organs.

The pituitary gland sits below the hypothalamus and controls other glands via hormone release.

Thyroxine regulates basal metabolic rate, while TSH from the pituitary controls thyroxine through negative feedback.

Adrenaline increases heart rate and blood glucose levels for 'fight or flight' responses.

Insulin lowers blood glucose by converting glucose to glycogen, while glucagon raises it by reversing this process.

Negative feedback maintains normal levels through detection, gland response, target action, and feedback.

Locate glands: pituitary (brain), thyroid (neck), adrenal (above kidneys), pancreas (abdomen), ovaries/testes (pelvis/scrotum).

Hormonal effects are systemic and longer-lasting compared to nerve impulses; this distinction aids in comparing control systems.

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