THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

This is a system of coordination that is made up of ductless glands that produce hormones. A hormone is a chemical secreted
by a ductless gland, transported by blood and has effects on one or more target organs before being destroyed by the liver. A
target organ is any organ that carries out an appropriate response to a stimulus under the influence of hormones. Any hormone
can only have effects on an organ that has receptor sites for it.

GLAND HORMONE SECRETED EFFECT/FUNCTION OF HORMONE

1.Pituitary Gland a)Thyroid Stimulating Stimulates the Thyroid gland to function

( Master Gland) Hormone(TSH)
b)Follicle Stimulating Stimulates formation of follicles in the ovaries
Hormone(FSH)
c)Luteinising Hormone(LH) Causes ovulation (release of mature egg from ovary) and formation
of the corpus luteum

d)Adrenocorticotrophic Stimulates adrenal cortex to release hormones

Hormone(ACTH)
e)Antidiuretic stimulates re-absorption of water from the renal tubule and loop of
Hormone/Vassopressin Henle in the kidneys when the body has little water. Insufficient or
lack of ADH leads to diabetes insipidus (a condition where an
individual passes out large volumes of dilute urine)
 f)Growth Hormone stimulates growth by stimulating synthesis of macromolecules such
as proteins, carbohydrates and lipids. Too much secretion of growth
hormone leads to giantism/gigantism and acromegaly. Gigantism or
giantism is a condition where an individual is abnormally tall and
huge. Acromegaly is enlargement of bones often accompanied by
protrusion of the lower jaw. Little secretion of growth hormone
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leads to dwarfism, a condition where an individual has physically
stunted growth and appears too small for their age.

g)Oxytocin causes rhythmic contractions of the uterus wall during child birth
and also stimulates release of milk from mammary glands in the
breasts

h)Prolactin stimulates milk production by the mammary glands in the breasts.

2. Thyroid gland Thyroxine controls the basal metabolic rate

(requires iodine for production) controls normal development of the skeleton
Controls normal growth of the brain.
Over production of thyroxine causes hyperactivity which is
characterised by an increased metabolic and heart rate, loss of body
mass and extreme irritability. Under production of thyroxine causes
myxoedema and cretinism. Myxoedema is a condition where the
basal metabolic rate and mental development are slow. Cretinism is
a condition where the physical, mental and sexual developments of
a child are retarded. A person who suffers from cretinism is called a
cretin. Iodine deficiency causes swelling of the thyroid gland, a
condition known as goitre.
3.Adrenal Gland Adrenaline(Flight or fight It prepares the body for action in the following ways:
hormone) It boosts the changing of glycogen to glucose, thereby increasing
produced when an individual is glucose levels in the blood to be used for respiration
angry, scared, emotionally excited It increases the breathing rate so that more oxygen is taken in to be
or under stress used for energy production
It increases the heart rate so that more blood containing glucose
and oxygen can be carried to the muscles
It diverts blood from the gut to the muscles by constricting the
blood vessels of the gut and dilating the blood vessels of the
muscles.
It dilates the pupils in the eyes for increased alertness
It dilates the bronchi and increases the volume of the thorax so that
more air containing oxygen may be taken in
It increases the sensitivity of the nervous system for faster response
to stimuli
It raises hair in furry animals and causes the appearance of ‘goose
bumps’.
It causes shivering.
4.Pancreas- a)Insulin (Secreted by Beta When glucose levels are too high in blood, the pancreas detects the
Islets of Cells) change and secretes insulin which lowers the levels of glucose in the
Langerhans following ways.
It causes the cells of the liver and muscles to convert excess glucose
to glycogen which is stored in the liver and muscles.
It causes the cells of the adipose tissue to convert excess glucose to
fats. The fats are stored under the skin and around delicate body
organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys, intestines and brain.
It enables body cells to absorb glucose from the blood and use it.
Lack or insufficient production of insulin leads to the disease called
diabetes mellitus whose signs and symptoms are: Abnormally high
levels of glucose in blood
Presence of glucose in urine
Persistent thirst leading to excessive intake of water
Drastic loss of weight
Loss of sensation in some body parts.
b) Glucagon (Secreted by Alpha When glucose levels are too low in blood, the pancreas detects and
Cells) secretes glucagon which increases glucose levels in blood in the
following ways:
It causes the cells of the liver and muscles to convert glycogen to
glucose.
it causes fat to be changed into glucose and may cause proteins to
be modified so that they are utilised for energy production
Gonads (Ovaries a) Ovaries secrete Oestrogen and oestrogen prepares the uterus for the implantation of the
and Testis) Progesterone embryo, by making its lining thicker and increasing
Reproductive its blood supply.The hormones play a part in the
organs development of the secondary sexual characteristics.
b) Testicles secrete Testosterone play a part in the
development of the secondary sexual characteristics.