ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

By Trinitee N.

This system controls many of the biochemical pathways that occur in your body. The core tool used by the endocrine system is a compound called a hormone. Your body uses dozens of hormones to regulate your growth, digestion, body temperature, and glucose metabolism. A hormone released by an endocrine gland can travel throughout the body and change the activity of cells from many other systems. The endocrine system is also unique in that it uses glands and cells within organs that are all closely related to other systems

WHAT DOES THIS SYSTEM DO?

There are 8 major functions in the Endocrine system• hypothalamus• pituitary gland• thyroid• parathyroid• adrenal glands• pineal body• reproductive glands

(which include the ovaries and testes)

• pancreas

The Functions

Hypothalamus

A region of the forebrain below the thalamus that coordinates both the autonomic nervous system and the activity of the pituitary, controlling body temperature, thirst, hunger, and other homeostatic systems, and involved in sleep and emotional activity.

Pituitary Gland

The major endocrine gland. A pea-sized body attached to the base of the brain, the pituitary is important in controlling growth and development and the functioning of the other endocrine glands.

ThyroidA large ductless gland in the neck that secretes hormones regulating growth and development through the rate of metabolism.

ParathyroidA gland next to the

thyroid that secretes a hormone ( parathyroid hormone ) that regulates calcium levels in a person's body.

Adrenal glandsAdrenal glands are a type of

endocrine gland that are triangle-shaped and located on top of the kidneys. The outer part of the adrenal glands is known as the cortex and releases hormones including testosterone and cortisol.

Pineal bodya pea-sized conical mass of

tissue behind the third ventricle of the brain, secreting a hormone like substance in some mammals.

Reproductive glands

The gonad is the organ that makes gametes. The gonads in males are the testes, and the gonads in females are the ovaries. The product, gametes, are haploid germ cells. For example, spermatozoon and egg cells are gametes.

PancreasA large gland behind the stomach that secretes digestive enzymes into the duodenum. Embedded in the pancreas are the islets of Langerhans, which secrete into the blood the hormones insulin and glucagon.

What system does the Endocrine system work with?

The circulatory system is the transport system for endocrine information. While the nervous system uses neurons, the endocrine chemicals and hormones must circulate through the body via blood vessels.

Many glands in your body secrete hormones into the blood. You have a pituitary gland in the base of your skull that releases hormones that control blood pressure and your excretory system. You have a thyroid gland in your neck that controls your bone growth rate and metabolism. You even have a tiny little adrenal gland above your kidneys that releases adrenalin if you get excited. Endocrine glands are everywhere.

Work sited page• dictionary.reference.com

•kidshealth.org