The Endocrine System

What is the purpose of the endocrine system? Why do we need it? Warm-up What is the purpose of the endocrine system? Why do we need it?

The Endocrine System are the glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream

One of the body’s two communication systems Endocrine System One of the body’s two communication systems Nervous and endocrine A set of glands that produce hormones-- chemical messengers that circulate in the blood

hormones What are hormones? The things adults say teenagers have too much of… Chemical messengers circulated in the bloodstream.

Similar to neurotransmitters in that they are also messengers Hormone Chemical messengers produced by the endocrine glands and circulated in the blood Similar to neurotransmitters in that they are also messengers Slower communication system, but with longer lasting effects

Endocrine System

Brain region that controls the pituitary gland Hypothalamus Brain region that controls the pituitary gland Controls homeostasis – the bodies ability to remain at a status quo level

The endocrine system’s gland that controls the other endocrine glands Pituitary Gland The endocrine system’s gland that controls the other endocrine glands Called the “master gland” Located at the base of the brain and connects to the hypothalamus

Controls thirst by controlling the amount of water in the body’s cells Pituitary Gland Controls thirst by controlling the amount of water in the body’s cells Controls female contractions, and tells the mammary glands to produce milk for newborns

May control grooming habits, companionship, and sexual behavior Pituitary Gland May control grooming habits, companionship, and sexual behavior Controls the flow of the human growth hormones – dwarfism and gigantism

Responsible for the hormone “Melatonin” Pineal Gland Responsible for the hormone “Melatonin” Increased levels of Melatonin cause behaviors associated with sleep Decreased levels of Melatonin cause behaviors associated with wakefulness

Endocrine gland that helps regulate the energy level in the body Thyroid Gland Endocrine gland that helps regulate the energy level in the body Located in the neck

Endocrine System

Thyroid Gland controls body temperature Controls metabolism – our body’s ability to transform the food we eat into usable energy Overactive? Behaviors may include excitability, insomnia, ADD, agitation, difficulty focusing Reduced Activity? Behaviors may include sleepiness, reduced muscle tone, overweight

Endocrine glands that help to arouse the body in times of stress Adrenal Gland Endocrine glands that help to arouse the body in times of stress Located just above the kidneys Release epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline)

Endocrine System

Increase heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar Adrenal Glands Increase heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar hormones involved in human stress response

Regulates the level of blood sugar (insulin) in the blood Pancreatic Gland Regulates the level of blood sugar (insulin) in the blood

Endocrine System

Insulin is needed in the body to break down sugars in the body Pancreas Insulin is needed in the body to break down sugars in the body Too much insulin in the body devours all of the sugar in the blood. Behaviors exhibited include sluggishness and inattentiveness.

Too little insulin causes a buildup of sugar in the blood and makes the kidneys use a lot more water to flush it out of the body. The extra water needed to flush the sugar comes from surrounding cells, which in turn dehydrates them and leaves them vulnerable to infection and poisons.

Testosterone – primary males hormone Estrogen – primary female hormone Sex Glands Ovaries (females) and testes (males) are the glands that influence emotion and physical development. Testosterone – primary males hormone Estrogen – primary female hormone Males and females have both estrogen and testosterone in their systems.

Endocrine System

Testicles – release androgens (male hormones) Gonads Testicles – release androgens (male hormones) Ovaries – release estrogens (female hormones) The presence of these chemicals influence male and female reproductive characteristics.