1. The Endocrine System

3. Endocrine System ► One of the body’s two communication systems  Nervous and endocrine ► Made up of glands that produce hormones-- chemical messengers that circulate in the blood

4. Hormones ► Chemical messengers produced by the endocrine glands and circulated in the blood ► Similar to neurotransmitters in that they are also messengers ► Slower communication system, but with longer lasting effects

5. Hypothalamus ► Brain region that controls the pituitary gland ► Controls homeostasis – your body’s ability to remain at a “status quo” level

6. Pituitary Gland ► The endocrine system’s gland that controls the other endocrine glands ► Called the “master gland” ► Located at the base of the brain and connects to the hypothalamus

7. Pituitary Gland ► Controls thirst by controlling the amount of water in the body’s cells ► Controls female contractions, and tells the mammary glands to produce milk for newborns

8. Pituitary Gland ► May control grooming habits, companionship, and sexual behavior ► Controls the flow of the human growth hormones – dwarfism and gigantism

9. Pineal Gland ► Responsible for the hormone “Melatonin” ► Increased levels cause behaviors associated with sleep ► Decreased levels cause behaviors associated with wakefulness

11. Thyroid Gland ► Endocrine gland that helps regulate the energy level in the body ► Located in the neck

12. Thyroid Gland ► Controls metabolism – our body’s ability to transform the food we eat into usable energy ► Is it Overactive? excitability, insomnia, ADD, agitation, difficulty focusing ► Is it Underactive? sleepiness, reduced muscle tone, overweight

14. Adrenal Gland ► Endocrine glands that help to arouse the body in times of stress ► Located just above the kidneys

15. Adrenal Glands ► Release epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline ) ► Increase heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar

17. Pancreatic Gland (The Pancreas) ► Secretes Insulin to regulate blood sugar.

18. Pancreas ► Insulin breaks down (processes the sugars in the body) ► Too much insulin will devour all of the sugar in the blood. ► May lead to sluggishness, inattentiveness possibly even seizures.

19. ► Too little insulin causes a buildup of sugar in the blood ► kidneys use a lot more water to flush it - extra water comes from surrounding cells, which dehydrates them and leads to infection and poisons. ► May lead to kidney failure or even blindness

21. Sex Glands ► Ovaries (females) and testes (males) are the glands that influence emotion and physical development.

22. Gonads ► Testicles – release androgens (male hormones) – primarily testosterone ► Ovaries – release estrogens (female hormones) ► The presence of these chemicals influence male and female reproductive characteristics.

23. ► Testosterone – primary male hormone ► Estrogen – primary female hormone ► Males and females have both estrogen and testosterone in their systems.

24. Endocrine System