Have you ever dozed through Chemistry class and wondered what chemistry had to do with you?

A lot! Your body produces its own chemicals and uses them to control certain functions, and the main system that coordinates these chemicals is called the endocrine system.

A quick overview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS7SM4vzs18 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vae5CcaPN_8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzjjW--I-2Q&feature=related

Though we rarely think about the endocrine system, it influences almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies. It regulates mood, growth and development, tissue function, metabolism, sexual function and reproductive processes. The endocrine system is in charge of body processes that happen slowly, such as cell growth

Faster processes like breathing and body movement are monitored by the nervous system. But even though the nervous system and endocrine system are separate systems, they often work together to help the body function properly.

Endocrine System - Is a chemical system that regulates many body functions through a network of glands throughout the body Glands- A group of cells that secrete chemicals Glands select and remove materials from the blood, processes them, and secretes the finished chemical product for use somewhere in the body The glands of the Endocrine System are (13 of them) Hypothalamus Pituitary Thyroid Parathyroid Adrenal Glands Pineal body Reproductive Glands The Pancreas Thymus Heart Kidney Stomach Intestines

Hormones Chemicals that circulate the blood stream and carry messages and signals to different parts of the body The word hormone comes from the Greek word hormao which means “I excite” meaning that hormones stimulate particular parts of the body (Target Glands)

Main link between the endocrine and nervous system Hypothalmus Located in the lower central part of the brain Main link between the endocrine and nervous system Control the pituitary gland by producing chemicals that either stimulate or suppress hormone secretions from the pituitary.

Hypothalamus Most doctors feel the hypothalamus is to blame for mind problems since it controls the bodies most important hormones Serotonin, Dopamine, Norepinephrine, Acetylcholine among others The main function of the hypothalamus is to maintain homeostasis… blood pressure, temperature, fluid and electrolyte balance The hypothalamus controls the Pituitary Gland

Pituitary Gland Located right beneath the hypothalamus About the size of a pea but considered to be the most important part in the endocrine system Known as the “master gland” because it makes hormones that control several other endocrine glands (Makes 8 types of hormones) Production and secretion of pituitary hormones can be influenced by emotions and change of seasons To do this the hypothalamus sends information sensed by the brain (Temperature, light exposure, feelings) to the pituitary

Pituitary cont... Pituitary also secretes Endorphins which aid in Pain relief Pituitary cont... The gland is separated into two sections Anterior Lobe Posterior Lobe Anterior lobe regulates the activity of the thyroid, adrenals, a reproductive glands, bone growth, and skin (It secretes 6 different hormones) It produces: Growth hormone (GH) – One of the most important hormones, stimulates all the tissues in the body to grow this includes bones (Effects protein formation) Luteinizing Hormone (LH) – Stimulates sex glands in both sexes to either produce ripe eggs or mature sperm Thyrotrophin (TSH) - which stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones. Responsible for overall metabolism of the body ACTH or Corticotrophin – Effects the stereroid hormones (Adrenal) that control Stress response Also controls melanocytes – causing more melanin to be produced

The posterior lobe Releases Antidiuretic Hormones (ADH) helps control the balance of water in the body. Permits more water To be stored by the body (Kidneys are affected) Oxytocin – aids in the release of milk from mammary glands as well as controls uterine contractions during child birth The pituitary gland also controls ovulation and menstrual cycle in women as well as secreting hormones to the reproductive system To make sex hormones (Gonadotrophins)

Thyroid The thyroid has the Only cells of the body That can absorb iodine Thyroid Located in the front part of the lower neck, is shaped like a bow tie or butterfly Produces the thyroid hormones thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronine try-eye-uh-doe-thy-ruh-neen(T3) Number has to do with amount of iodine molecules These hormones control the rate at which cells burn fuels from food to produce energy The more thyroid hormone in a persons body the faster chemical reactions occur in the body Thyroid hormones also play a role in bone growth and brain / nervous system in young children. Affects Mood and Memory!

Thyroid hormones build strong bones and develop the brain and nervous system People with hypothyroidism Do not produce enough thyroid hormone To maintain proper metabolic functioning

Parathyroids Attached to the thyroid the parathyroid are 4 tiny glands which regulate the amount of calcium in your blood. This Gland acts on the bones of your body. Though the parathyroids are attached and sometimes found Inside the thyroid but have no relation This system is important because calcium allows Normal conduction of electrical currents along Nerves… it is how our nervous system works! Calcitonin

Parathyroid Calcium production is also important… The brain works on fluxes of calcium into and out of the nerve cells Calcium is the primary element which causes our muscles to contract

Quiz What is the main purpose of the endocrine system? What is the proper name for the master switch? Why is it called the master switch? Name the two hormones that the posterior lobe secretes. What hormones are secreted by the thyroid gland, what does it control?

Adrenal Glands Two triangular glands found on top of each kidney There are two sections to each gland Adrenal cortex - The outer part that regulates salt and water balance in the body… also plays minimal roles in the bodies use of fats / Proteins as well as inflammatory reactions of the immune system Adrenal medulla - The inner part that increase blood pressure and heart rate when stress level rises (Norepinephrine / Epinephrine) AKA Adrenaline or catecholamines (kat-tuh-ko-luh-meenz)

Pineal Gland Located in the middle of the brain Secretes melatonin a hormone that helps you regulate when you sleep at night or when you wake up in the morning

Gonads Both Girls and Guys have gonads; Testes in males Ovaries in females Produce androgens a male sex hormone also testosterone (Males) Produce estrogen and progesterone (Females) Control development of sex characteristics in both males and females

Various "Ballas" of the Endocrine System Although the endocrine glands are the body's main hormone producers, some other organs not in the endocrine system - such as the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and skin - also produce and release hormones Pancreases - Produces insulin and glucagon which work together to maintain the proper sugar level in the blood And supply the body with energy Islets of Langerhans - cell clusters responsible for controlling glucose production

That was a lot of information but what does the Endocrine System do? I am glad you asked

Once a hormone is secreted it travels through the blood stream to the designated cells These are called TARGET CELLS On the way to the target cells certain proteins join on to the hormones to control how much of the hormone is used by the target cells Each hormone has it’s own designated receptor site (Target Cell) once it locks in, the combination gives chemical instructions to the inner workings of the cell

For Example lets say that your body was in a situation where When hormone levels reach a certain normal amount, the endocrine system helps the body to keep that level of hormone in the blood For Example lets say that your body was in a situation where It needed to produce more sex hormone The Hypothalamus receives information from monitoring cells The hypothalamus then produces gonadotrophin to the pituitary The pituitary releases gonadotrophin This LH finds it’s ways to the testes and levels begin to rise The turning off process or regulation of hormone is called a negative feedback system

Lets take a look on-line at Endocrine System

Is the Endocrine System perfect like Mr. Hak, or can things go wrong?

To much or to little of any hormone can be bad for your body For example, if the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone, a teen may grow excessively tall. If it produces too little, a teen may be unusually short Doctors can usually control the endocrine system by regulating the production of hormones or by using medications