The Endocrine System

13.1 The Glands and Hormones of the Endocrine System The nervous and endocrine systems are self-regulating, and help regulate other body systems, thereby maintaining homeostasis.

1. What is the endocrine system? The endocrine system consists of specialized glands and tissues that secrete hormones (chemical messengers) which then enter the bloodstream DIRECTLY and are sent to target cells which then initiate a specific response.

2. What are endocrine glands? Endocrine glands are ductless glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. An example: the thyroid gland

What is a hormone? Give an example. A hormone is a chemical that is produced by an endocrine gland which travels to a target cell to initiate a response.

The nervous system rapidly affects specific tissues, to which it is directly connected by neurons. The endocrine system relies on chemical messengers called hormones, which circulate in the blood and have broad, long-lasting effects.

The endocrine glands have no ducts, and secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. The pancreas is an endocrine gland that secretes the hormone insulin into the bloodstream to control the level of sugar. Pancreas tissue

HYPOTHALAMUS AND PITUITARY GLAND The hypothalamus controls the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland has two lobes that store and release hormones, which are regulated by negative feedback mechanisms.

hGH (HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE) The pituitary gland releases human growth hormone (hGH) which which stimulates fat metabolism, targets the liver to release hormones that stimulate protein synthesis, and muscle and bone growth.

The Great hGH Debate ISSUE 1 Until recently, the use of synthetic hGH was approved only for those children who had malfunctioning pituitary glands and could not produce adequate amounts of the hormone themselves. Recently, the use of synthetic hGH has been approved for children who are genetically of short stature. Should people have the option to take synthetic hGH just to increase their genetically predetermined height?

RESEARCH THE PITUITARY GLAND Clearly label any diagrams, pretend you have to explain your research to someone in Grade 5 Name which hormones are involved with your section of the pituitary gland and their function List where you found your information, i.e. the name of the website and cut and paste the html (referencing is very important!) You only have 50 minutes to do your research, get yourselves organised into specific roles , Time keeper/group leader, Scribe (computer typist), Presenter to the class/proof reader of the final product looking for spelling errors etc and key researcher(s) Put written work for others to access on