By: Alex, Garrett, Audrey, and Tory Endocrine System Period 1 By: Alex, Garrett, Audrey, and Tory

Functions of the Endocrine System Controls the processes involved in movement and psychological equilibrium Includes all tissues or glands that secrete hormones into the blood The secretion of most of the hormones is regulated by a negative feedback system The number of receptors for a specific hormone can be altered to meet the body’s demands

Hormone Definition: A chemical substance produced in the body that controls and regulates the activity of certain cells or organs. Many hormones are secreted by special glands, such as thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland. Hormones are essential for every activity of life, including the processes of digestion, metabolism, growth, reproduction, and mood control.

Roles of Insulin and Glucagon Insulin is a vital hormone produced by cells in your pancreas. Insulin works to move glucose from the blood and into cells for energy or storage for later energy. When insulin is produced, glucagon is suppressed. Insulin stimulates the cells throughout your body to take in glucose from your bloodstream. Your cells then use glucose as energy. Glucagon Like insulin, glucagon is a protein hormone produced in the pancreas. It is a counterbalance to insulin. Glucagon signals the liver and muscles to break down glycogen into glucose and release glucose back into your bloodstream. This keeps your blood sugar levels from dipping too low.

How this system helps to maintain homeostasis in the body Insulin Insulin is produced by the pancreas in response to high blood sugar, the amount of insulin added into the blood increases as the glucose in the blood rises. In response to insulin, cells (muscle, red blood cells, and fat cells) take glucose in from the blood, which lowers the high blood glucose levels back to normal. Glucagon Glucagon is added by the pancreas when the amount of glucose in blood is low. The function of glucagon is to cause the liver to release stored glucose from its cells into the blood. Which causes the low blood glucose levels to return to normal.

In this diagram, you will comprehend how glucagon and insulin act as a mediator

How the system works with other systems The Endocrine System works with the digestive system through the production of the hormone insulin in the pancreas. When carbohydrates are digested, through the digestive system, they are transformed into sugars. The pancreas, through the endocrine system, produces the insulin to regulate the speed of how fast of the sugars are broken down. Therefore, insulin regulates the amount of sugar in the blood.

Endocrine Diseases/ Disorders Diseases occur when a gland produces too much or too little of the endocrine hormone, called a hormone imbalance Diseases occur due to the development of lesions (such as nodules or tumors) in the endocrine system, which may or may not affect hormone levels

Main organs Hypothalamus: This part of the brain is important in regulating metabolism. Pituitary Gland: Produces hormones that control many functions Thyroid Gland: Produces thyroid hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism Adrenals: Inner part produces, hormones called catecholamines which help the body cope with physical and emotional stress Pineal Body: Secretes a hormone called melatonin which help regulate the sleep cycle Reproductive Glands: These glands are the main source of sex hormones

Bibliography http://www.emedicinehealth.com/anatomy_of_the_endocrine_system/page4_em.htm http://biomed.brown.edu/Courses/BI108/BI108_2002_Groups/pancstems/stemcell/insulin_glucagon.htm http://endocrinesystems.weebly.com/how-the-endocrine-system-functions-with-other-systems.html http://www.ck12.org/user:a3F1aWNrQHdlYmIub3Jn/section/Homeostasis-and-Regulation/