ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Endocrine system vocabulary

*Endocrine system: controls other body systems by releasing certain chemicals
*hormones :chemicals that are produced by endocrine glands
*gland :a group of cells that makes special chemicals for your body; they make hormones
*thyroid:controls how fast the body uses its energy
*Adrenal gland: helps us respond to danger; fight or flight;makes epinephrine (adrenalin)
*testes :male reproductive hormone
*ovaries: female reproductive hormone
*pancreas: makes insulin to help cells take in glucose; controls blood sugar levels
*parathyroid: controls levels of vitamins and minerals in the body; controls calcium levels in blood
*thymus :helps fight disease and bacteria
*pituitary :the gland that helps control all the other glands
*Feedback system: turn endocrine glands ON and OFF; sends hormones where needed

Hormones vocabulary

glands
chemicals
blood
insulin
energy
regulation body
pancreas
cells
chemical messages

Reading Endocrine System

-The adrenal gland has two parts. The cortex, takes its instructions from the pituitary hormone ACTH. The hormones secreted here are called "steroids" and have three main types: those which control the balance of sodium and potassium in the body; those which raise the level of sugar in the blood; and sex hormones. The inner, makes two types of hormones and takes all its instructions from the nervous system, producing chemicals which react to fear and anger and are sometimes called "fight or flight" hormones.
-The ovaries in addition to producing eggs or "ova," the ovaries produce female sex hormones called estrogen and progesterone.
-The pancreas secretes digestive juices which break down fats, carbohydrates, proteins and acids; it also secretes bicarbonate, which neutralizes stomach acid as it enters the duodenum. Some cells in the pancreas secrete hormones which regulate the level of glucose in the blood.
-The pituitary gland is an important link between the nervous system and the endocrine system and releases many hormones which affect growth, sexual development, metabolism and the system of reproduction.
-The testicle lies inside the scrotum and produces as many as 12 trillion sperm in a male's lifetime, each sperm takes about seventy-two days to mature and its maturity is overseen by a complex interaction of hormones.
-The thymus function is to transform lymphocytes into T-cells. These cells are then transported to various lymph glands, where they play an important part in fighting infections and disease.
-The thyroid gland controls the rate at which the body produces energy from nutrients.The parathyroid glands control the level of calcium in the blood.