Some Functions of the Endocrine System
Function
Glands producing Hormones
Target and Effect
Sense and/or Integrator
Water balance
Hypothalamus produces ADH which is
Kidney nephrons: water retention
moved via secretory neurons to Posterior lobe
of the pituitary
Hypothalamus
Blood Glucose Balance
Cells in the pancreas produce insulin and
glucagon.
Muscles and liver store glucose as
glycogen.
Insulin removes glucose from the
blood. Glucagon releases glucose to
the blood.
Pancreatic cells respond
directly to blood
glucose levels. Negative
Feedback control loop.
Overall metabolism
Hypothalamus produces Thyroid Stimulating
Hormone (TSH) into the Anterior Pituitary
gland. The hormone stimulates the thyroid
gland. The thyroid gland then produces
Thyroid Hormones.
Thyroid Hormones effect overall
Hypothalamus.
growth and metabolism throughout the
body.
Growth
Hypothalamus produces Growth Hormone
(GH) into the Anterior lobe Pituitary gland.
GH stimulates growth in cells
throughout the body.
Stress Response - Long
term
Hypothalamus produces Adrenal Cortical
Trophic Hormone (ACTH)
Adrenal cortex produces Cortisol and Hypothalamus
other steroid hormones. Cortisol
conserves glucose and promotes
breakdown of protein and lipids to
make glucose.
Emergency Stress
Response
(Fear, Fight, Flight)
Sympathetic Nervous System directly
Liver, muscles and fat cells are
stimulates adrenal medulla to produce
effected. Sugar levels rise, heart rate
epinehprine and nor-epinephrine (adrenaline increases, blood pressure increases.
and nor-adrenaline)
Autonomic Nervous
system: Sympathetic
pathways.
Sexual Development and
Reproduction
Hypothalamus produces oxytocin which is
released by the posterior pituitary. The
anterior pituitary releases Follicle Stimulating
Hormone (FSH), Lutenizing Hormone (LH)
and Prolactin.
Hypothalamus is
involved with several
negative feedback
control loops.
Oxytocin is involved with uterine
contraction and mammary gland
function. Prolactin is also involved
with the mammary gland. FSH and
LH are involved with ovaries and
testes. These structures release the
“sex hormones”.
Hypothalamus. Involves
a feedback loop with
inhibiting hormones.