35.

3 The Endocrine System

Bio 30
NWRC
 Endocrine Glands
• The endocrine system
is composed of
GLANDS which
secrete HORMONES
in to the bloodstream
• Hormones have 2
classifications Steroid
hormones and non-
steroid hormones.
 Steroid Hormones
• Steroid hormones are crucial substances
for the proper function of the body. They
mediate a wide variety of vital functions
ranging from anti-inflammatory agents to
regulating events during pregnancy. They
are synthesized and secreted into the
bloodstream by endocrine glands such as
the adrenal cortex and the gonads (ovary
and testis).
 Steroid Hormones
• Steroid hormones are
made on a basis of need.
Whenever the body
needs a certain process
done or needs a certain
protein synthesized, the
brain releases a signal to
produce a certain type of
hormone. All steroid
hormones work by
causing the target cells to
initiate protein synthesis.
 Steroid Hormones
• Progesterone- Regulates
events during pregnancy
Corticoids- Suppress
inflammation reactions
and regulates mineral
and sugar metabolism.
Androgens- Promote
male sex development
and maintain male sex
characteristics.
Estrogens- Promote
female sex development
 Amino Acid Hormones
• Also called non-steroid hormones Steroid
and non-steroid hormones differ in how
they affect target cells.
• Made of AAs these hormones cannot
diffuse through plasma membrane must
bind to receptor on plasma membrane
• Once the hormone binds to the receptor ,
the receptor activates an enzyme found on
the inside of the membrane
 Negative Feedback
• Is essentially a corrective mechanism, consider the
following scenarios in a person
• The level of glucose in the bloodstream drops
• The person requires glucose in cells to meet the demand
for ATP
• The body detects this with a particular receptor designed
for this function
• These receptors release hormones, chemical messages
that initiate the start of the feedback mechanism
• The hormones travel to their target tissue and initiate a
corrective response
• In this case, the corrective response is the secretion of
more glucose into the bloodstream
Negative Feedback
Endocrine Glands and their
Hormones
• The pituitary gland is
sometimes called the
"master" gland of the
endocrine system,
because it controls
the functions of the
other endocrine
glands. The pituitary
gland is no larger
than a pea, and is
located at the base of
the brain.
Endocrine Glands and their
Hormones
• The pituitary gland
regulates other glands
(thyroid, adrenal, gonads)
and also acts on organs
and tissues of the body.
For example the Human
Growth Hormone it
secretes stimulates
growth by stimulating cell
division in muscle and
bone tissue.
 Endocrine Glands and their
• Hormones
The THYROID and the thyroid
hormone, thyroxine, is a modified
amino acid that contains iodine. It
accelerates metabolism throughout
the body. An abnormal deficiency
of thyroxine causes goiter,
decreased heart rate, lethargy,
obesity, and decreased mental
alertness. In contrast,
hyperthyroidism (too much
thyroxine) is characterized by
profuse perspiration, high body
temperature, increased basal
metabolic rate, high blood
pressure, loss of weight, and
irritability.
 Endocrine Glands and their
• Have you ever noticedHormones
that
the salt we get has iodine
added to it? The main reason
that you need iodine is
because of the thyroid
gland. The thyroid gland
produces two hormones
(thyroxine and
triiodothyronine) that your
body uses during metabolism
Iodine is an important
element in these two
hormones, so without iodine
your thyroid gland cannot
produce them. When starved
for iodine, the thyroid gland
also swells, and when it does
it is called goiter
 Endocrine Glands and their
•
Hormones
The parathyroid glands
are small pealike organs
located on the posterior
surface of the thyroid.
They secrete parathyroid
hormone, which regulates
the calcium and
phosphate balance
between the blood and
other tissues. Increased
parathyroid hormone
increases bone
reabsorption and elevates
plasma calcium.
Endocrine Glands and their
Hormones
• The human pancreas has two main
functions: [1] to produce
pancreatic endocrine hormones
(e.g., insulin & glucagon) which help
regulate many aspects of our
metabolism and [2], to produce
pancreatic digestive enzymes.
• Pancreatic production of insulin,, and
glucagon plays an important role in
maintaining sugar and salt balance
in our bodies and therefore any
problem in the production or
regulation of these hormones will
manifest itself with problems with
blood sugar and fluid / salt
imbalances.
Endocrine Glands and their
Hormones
• Type 1 diabetes is a disease in
which the pancreas does not
produce insulin or insulin is not used
properly by the body. Persons with
type 1 diabetes have glucose
building up in the blood instead of
being used for energy.
• The cause of type 1 diabetes
remains unknown. However, it is not
preventable, and it is not caused by
eating too much sugar. The body's
defense system may attack insulin-
making cells by mistake, but we don't
know why. People are usually
diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
before the age of 20, most often
during childhood or their teens.
Endocrine Glands and their
Hormones
• type 2 diabetes, the body
produces insulin.
However, the insulin
their pancreas secretes
is either not enough or
the body is unable to
recognize the insulin
and use it properly.
When there isn't enough
insulin or the insulin is
not used as it should be,
glucose can't get into
the body's cells.
Endocrine Glands and their
Hormones
• Each Adrenal gland consists of
a medulla (the center of the
gland) which is surrounded by
the cortex. The medulla is
responsible for producing
epinephrine (adrenaline). and
norepinephrine. These
hormones regulate heart rate,
blood pressure etc. during
stressful times
• The adrenal cortex produces
other hormones necessary for
fluid and electrolyte (salt)
balance in the body such as
cortisone and aldosterone.
Assessment
• 1. Hormones work in
the opposite direction
to the stimulus;
therefore the
feedback system is
described as negative
Assessment
• 2. Insulin is secreted
when sugar levels are
high. Glucagon is
secreted when levels
are sugar levels are
low
Assessment
• 3. Both systems help
maintain
homeostasis. For
example the
hypothalamus, a part
of the brain secretes
ADH which regulates
the balance of water
in the body.
 Assessment
• 4. Pituitary hormones regulate many body
functions as well as other endocrine glands.
• Thyroid hormones increase metabolism
• Parathyroid increase blood calcium levels.
• Pancreas aids digestion and produces
hormones that regulate blood sugar levels
• Adrenal hormones aid in reabsorbing sodium,
raising blood sugar levels and reducing
inflamation.