Name ________________________________
Block ______________
Glands and Their Functions
The Endocrine System is the Bodies Specialized Organ System that produces Chemicals for use in
everyday functions throughout the Body. Together, this system controls everything your body does from
digestion, growth, even your mood! (They don’t call it hormonal for nothing!)
Throughout this reading, you will find the descriptions and the locations of a variety of glands in the
body. Mark them on the diagram provided on the right side of this page, then match the description on the
questions on the back of this page.
Draw and label the following Glands in the provided Diagram.
Pineal – Small Pea Sized Gland found behind the Brain Stem. Controls Sleep
Patterns in Vertebrates by releasing Melatonin for sleep, and Serotonin to wake
the organism up. In charge of the “Biological Clock” of the body.
Hypothalamus – Small shark tooth shaped gland located infront of the
Brain Stem. In charge of Keeping Homeostasis in an organism by monitoring
all body activities and making corrections to organ behavior when needed.
Pituitary – Small Pea Sized Gland found under the Hypothalamus in the
Brain. In charge of controlling growth throughout the body and sending
the messages from the Hypothalamus to the rest of the body through its
connection to the Blood Stream. Considered a “Master Gland”.
Thyroid – Butterfly shaped pair of glands found around the Trachea. In
charge of the body’s metabolism such as digestion speed, heartrate,
and speed in which the body grows and repairs itself.
Parathyroid – Small glands found around the Thyroid. In charge of
controlling the amount of calcium in the bloodstream when there are
needed repairs to bones in the skeletal system.
Thymus – Butterfly shaped gland found behind the chest and
between the lungs. In charge of creating and growing T-Cells, a special
type of White Blood Cell to help fight against infections and disease.
Adrenal – Triangular shaped glands found on top of the Kidneys. Responsible
for stress related hormones and help the body respond to physical and
emotional situations. Releases variety of different hormones to assist the body
in Fight or Flight Response.
Pancreas – Small tube-like gland connecting the kidneys and near the stomach.
Responsible for controlling the amount of sugar in the blood by releasing
Glucose to increase the sugar, or Insulin to reduce it.
The following glands are Male/Female Unique. Found in the Reproductive system based on Gender.
Testes – Male Reproductive gland responsible for the creation
of testosterone, needed for development of the male body after
puberty.
Ovaries – Female Reproductive gland responsible for the creation
of Estrogen, needed for the development of the female body after
puberty.
Name ________________________________
Block ______________
Glands and Their Functions – Worksheet
Directions: Match the gland with the correct function.
a. Ovaries (female)
b. Adrenal Gland
c. Thyroid Gland
d. Thymus Gland
e. Pituitary Gland
f. Parathyroid Gland
g. Pancreas
h. Testes (male)
____ 1. Regulates metabolism (release of energy from food molecules)
____ 2. Prepares body for emergencies by secreting adrenaline (“fight or flight
response”)
____ 3. Allows the body to make white blood cells (WBCs)
____ 4. Produce estrogen
____ 5. Regulates blood sugar levels by secreting insulin and glucagon
____ 6. Release hormones that regulate growth (how tall you’ll get) and control
ovaries in females and testes in males (puberty)
____ 7. Produce testosterone
____ 8. Regulate amount of calcium in the blood