The Endocrine System

and Reproduction
Chapter 16
The Endocrine System
 The Role of the Endocrine System
The endocrine system controls many of the body’s
daily activities as well as long-term changes such as
development
The endocrine system is made up of glands that
produce chemicals
Endocrine glands produce and release their
chemical products directly into the bloodstream to be
carried throughout the body
 Hormones TARGET CELLS
Hormones interact only with
HORMONE PRODUCTION certain target cells- cells that
Hormone- chemical product of recognize the hormone’s
an endocrine gland chemical structure
Hormones turn on, turn off, Target cells and hormones fit
speed up, or slow down different together like a lock & key
organs and tissues Each endocrine gland releases
The brain controls the release of
different hormones and controls
hormones
Adrenaline released can cause
different processes
heart rate and respiration increase
Hormones cause a slower, but
longer-lasting response than the
nervous system
 The Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus- a tiny part
of the brain near the
middle of your head, is the
link between the endocrine
and nervous system
Nerve messages
controlling sleep, hunger,
and other conditions come
from the hypothalamus
Hypothalamus plays a
major role in maintaining
homeostasis
 The Pituitary Gland
Pituitary gland- located below the
hypothalamus, it communicates
with the hypothalamus to control
many body activities
Pituitary gland releases hormones
in response to nerve impulses or
hormone signals from the
hypothalamus
Some hormones act as “on”
switch for other endocrine glands
Pituitary hormone signals the
thyroid gland to produce hormones,
like HGH (human growth hormone)
Negative Feedback
Endocrine system often
works through negative
feedback; as the amount of a
particular hormone in the
blood reaches a certain level,
the endocrine system send
signals that stop the release
of that hormone
Negative feedback is an
important way that the body
maintains stable internal
conditions, or homeostasis
 Review
What role does the endocrine system play in the body? What are
the organs of the endocrine system called?
Controls many of the body’s daily activities as well as long-term
changes; endocrine glands
Explain one example of how negative feedback helps to maintain
internal stability in the body.
When the amount of a hormone in the blood reaches the right
level, the endocrine system signals the gland to stop producing that
hormone.
How do the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland interact?
The pituitary gland produces hormones in response to nerve
impulses or hormones sent out by the hypothalamus
Years ago, one of the endocrine glands was called the “master
gland.” Which part of the endocrine system would you consider the
master gland? Explain.