Instrumental in regulating: – Mood – Growth and development – Tissue function – Metabolism – Sexual function and reproduction In charge of slow body processes, like cell growth

Thymus Hypothalamus

Thymus  right next to the heart Hypothalamus  above the brain stem

Controls immune mechanism Promotes maturation of B-cells and T-cells Becomes inactive later in life, leading to atrophy Atrophy is why older people contract more diseases

Maintains homeostasis Contains specialized nuclei to maintain basic psychological functions – Body temperature – Blood pressure – Fluid and electrolyte balance – Digestion Main cause of involuntary emotional choices

Hypothalamus secretes dopamine Thymus secretes thymosin & thymopoietin thymosin thymopoietin dopamine

Hormone produced in the hypothalamus, also considered to be a neurotransmitter Affects diverse processes like muscle movement, thinking, emotion, motivation and pleasure Fun fact: people with Parkinson’s disease have depleted levels of dopamine

Hormone that plays an important role in regulating the immune system Found in the thymus gland Two types: – Alpha: play a role in dna transcription – Beta: operate in the cellular cytoplasm and contribute to cell mobility Together they function to detect the presence of autoimmune diseases and affect how T cells (germ-killing white blood cells) function

Also released by the thymus Reside in cell nucleus and help out by maintaining the structural organization of the nuclear envelope Also regulates the localization of chromosomes in the nuclear membrane Mutations in thymopoietin result in cardiomyopathy

A type of auto immune disorder (immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue) Body produces antibodies that block the muscle cells from receiving messages (nerve impulses) Associated with tumors of the thymus Symptoms: difficult breathing, chewing, climbing stairs, talking… facial paralysis, fatigue, double vision

Caused by excessive dietary intake of iron, malnutrition, trauma, or tumors Symptoms: headaches and vision problems, can increase hypothyroidism problems (affects the hormone production of pituitary and thyroid glands), altered body temperature, inability to control urination, excessive thirst, obesity and emotional disturbance – All depends on the severity of the disease

"The Endocrine System." A New Life. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar "Endocrine System." Teens Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar Hormones of the Hypothalamus. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar "Hypothalamus." You & Your Hormones. N.p., Mar Web. 10 Mar McClure, Susan T. "Is dopamine a natural hormone in the body?" Livestrong. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar "Myasthenia gravis." PubMed Health. N.p., 18 June Web. 10 Mar "The Role of the Hypothalamus." Phoenix Children's Hospital. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar Shmaefsky, Brian R. Applied Anatomy & Physiology. Comp. Jerri Adler et al. Montreal: Paradigm Publishing, Inc., Print. "What Is a Thymosin?" WiseGeek. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar

1. Describe the main function for the thymus and hypothalamus, and state where each is located. 2. State the bodily processes dopamine regulates. 3. Explain the difference between to the two types of thymosin, and what thymosin does. 4. What is myasthenia gravis and how does it affect the body?