Understanding the Human Endocrine System The System Far Out Scientists are not sure what the pineal gland does. Webwise: www.innerbody.com (click on endocrine system) The endocrine system is another system that helps to control your body. In the nervous system, the body is controlled through messages sent along nerves. In the endocrine system, the messages are sent to tell the body what to do through the use of chemicals released into the bloodstream. These chemicals are called hormones, and each hormone works on different target tissues. These are some of the major glands of the endocrine system, the hormones they release, and what they regulate. Pituitary: This is the master gland. It releases hormones that control the other glands. It controls growth of muscles, bones, and organs with the hormone HGH. It also controls the reproductive glands. Parathyroids: These four small glands regulate the levels of calcium and phosphate in your blood. They secrete parathormone hormone. Thyroid: This is a butterfly-shaped gland in the throat. It secretes the hormone thyroxine. This controls your body's metabolism (the rate at which your body uses up the food you eat). Adrenal glands: These sit on top of the kidneys. The outer layer makes more than 30 hormones. The inner layer makes "fight or flight" hormone, which gives you sudden bursts of strength and energy. Pancreas: This gland makes several hormones, including insulin, which helps control the blood sugar level in your body. Media, Inc., Publishers 63
Understanding the Human Body Name:, Date: Endocrine Info Endocrine System Use what you learned on page 63 to fill in the missing information in this chart. Gland Hormone Secreted Function Master other glands and growth Thyroxine Parathyroids Fight or burst of energy and strength Pancreas Explain the similarity between the endocrine system and the nervous system. Mark Twain Media, Inc., Publishers 64
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM Think about being chased by a wild bear! Wow! Your body really has to act fast to get away. Your adrenal glands can make you breathe faster and make your heart beat faster to give you super strength to save life! Glands are small organs that have special jobs. Growth, re, stress, and other body functions are controlled by glands. Endocrine glands make hormones. The hormones go to particular parts of the body and tell it what to do. Hormones can cause strong emotions and bad moods too. The pituitary gland, near the brain, is the master gland. It controls other endocrine glands. ENDOCRINE GLANDS (Male - left, female -right.) Pineal gland 2. Pituitary gland 3. Thyroid gland 4. Thymus 5. Adrenal gland 6. Pancreas 7. Ovary 8. Testes Exocrine glands do not make hormones. They do their job right where they are. For example, sweat glands make sweat that cools your body. Glands help keep the right balance of chemicals in different parts of the body. That is homeostasis. For example, too little calcium keeps bones and teeth from being healthy. Too much calcium can keep the kidneys from their job. The Game: Think about a time when you were really scared. Think about how your body Check the body signs. fast heart rate alert sleepy able to run fast deep breaths eyes open eyes closed Copyright 2008- Illegal to copy www.firelightbooks.com
Name. and endocrine systems The Messengers One kind of hormone disorder might cause a person to be as short as two feet or as as eight feet. pituitary thyroid gland Your body has a lot of chemicals. The body's most unique chemicals are called hormones. They are part of the endocrine system. The body has more than 100 different hormones. To be healthy, the body needs a balance between all of the different hormones. The pancreas secretes insulin when the sugar level rises in the blood, like after a meal. Insulin regulates blood sugar by helping move sugar from the blood into the cells. Adrenaline adjusts your body when you are stressed or frightened, so that you have the necessary blood flow to deal with the situation. Pituitary hormones cause growth changes in the body. Growth hormones make bones grow bigger, and sex hormones make bodies mature into adults. Directions: Unscramble the words to complete each sentence. 1. The body's most unique chemicals are called (m h n s o e r o). 2. (n s 1 i i n u).. is the hormone that regulates blood sugar. 3. The hormone that helps you when you are stressed is e) Fascinating Facts About The Human 4-6 The Education Center, Inc. TEC370 97
The Endocrine System In the Endocrinology Lab, lab technician G.G. Land is keeping a record of the patients and their ailments. Her notebook describes difficulties or symptoms that have brought each patient's file to the lab. Read each description in the notebook. Write the name of the gland that is likely to be involved with the problem. Answers may be used more than once. trouble with control of all other glands 7. B. Nee rate bone growth z. immune system not rejecting germs S. L Bow amount of calcium in blood and bones out of control 3. C. control of sugar metabolism 9. N. Trist adrenalin levels stay very high even when not frightened or angry 4. B. Legg body temperature, hunger, and thirst out of control 10. T. Shugg eggs 5. M. the of 8one trouble with salt and water balance 6. J. rate at which food is turned into energy is too high 12. B. of sperm cells Name Basic Body & Health 6-8+ 34 Copyright by Incentive Publications, Inc., Nashville, TN.