Our SLOW chemical communication system! The Endocrine System Our SLOW chemical communication system!

Nervous and Endocrine Systems Nervous System is like email and the Endocrine is like snail mail. Feedback system-- systems work together brain—pituitary—other glands—hormones—brain Hormones are like neurotransmitters, just slower

Just the facts… Endocrine System—system of glands that secrete hormones that affect many different biological processes in our bodies. The Endocrine System is controlled in our brain by the Hypothalamus! The hypothalamus relays messages to the Pituitary Gland—called the Master Gland!

More facts… The pituitary talks to other glands such as the adrenal glands as well as the gonads. The adrenal glands produce adrenaline or epinephrine as well as noradrenaline or norepinephrine. These chemicals work together to produce a fight or flight response activated by the sympathetic nervous system.

A little bit more…. The endocrine system is also in charge of our gonads—ovaries and testes. Sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone are released from here. Research suggests that some sex role differences are due to different levels of these hormones in the bodies of men and women. What do you think?

Survey and Discussion 1—Strongly Agree 2—Agree 3—Neutral 4—Disagree 5—Strong Disagree

Do hormones affect behavior? Men and women are different because of their different hormones. Agree or Disagree Research suggests that testosterone can make men more aggressive and competitive. Estrogen can have varying effects on women.

More….. Hormones control when and if we want to have intercourse. Agree or Disagree Hormones, such as testosterone, do play a part in both men and women regarding desire for sex, but humans do not seem controlled by these hormonal changes unlike other animals such as the Giant Panda.

More on hormones and behavior Differing levels of hormones are correlated with homosexuality. Agree or disagree Research suggests that stress hormones have an impact on the developing fetus and are correlated with homosexuality. Research also suggests that homosexual males have smaller hypothalamic regions than heterosexual males.

More… Different levels of hormones are correlated with monogamy. Agree or Disagree Research done on vols found that by altering the amount of receptors they had for hormones like oxytocin (cuddle) and vasopression (jealousy), that you could make a permiscious vol monogamous.

And… Hormones are correlated with obesity. Agree or Disagree Research indicates that obesity may have more to do with metabolism levels dictated in a large part by the thyroid gland and thyroxin. Research also indicates that Americans have slower metabolisms which is what helped us survive our journeys here. But what happens now that we have unlimited food?

Wait there’s more… Hormones cause acne. Agree or Disagree Some research indicates that even though kids around the world are going through the same hormonal changes as American teens, they do not seem to suffer from acne like American teens do. We can possibly conclude that there are other variables like diet!

More…… Hormones make 13 year olds difficult. Agree or Disagree Is adolescence really a difficult time because of the changing hormones or have we just made it so? Research indicates that many of the difficulties of the teen years seem to limited to the West, so maybe it is all just in our imaginations????

And… It is ethical to take synthetic human growth hormone for sports or to be taller. Agree or Disagree Humans release HGH mostly during deep sleep up to around the age of 28 years of age, but after that people make take synthetic HGH illegally.

How are we altering hormones? Research indicates that a variety of products we use and consume have effects on hormones such as: Food, Milk, Make up, Sunscreens, Lotion, BPA Researchers wonder if environmental factors are to blame for things like infertility, early puberty, etc..

In conclusion Hormones are slow acting, but they have VAST effects on our body and our behavior.