SCIENCE

LESSON 3 ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: GLANDS AND THEIR HORMONES

Date
Endocrine System: is composed of glands that secrete different types of hormones that affect almost every
cell, organ, and function of our body.

Hormones: Are organic substances released by the glands of the endocrine system directly into the
bloodstream. Hormones are capable of changing the physiological and metabolic behaviors of their target
cells to maintain homeostasis.

Gland: is an organ that makes one or more substances, such as hormones, digestive juices, sweat or tears.

COMPARISON OF THE NERVOUS AND ENDOCRINE SYSTEMS​

Endocrine:
●​ Chemical signals only
●​ Slower to respond and to stop
●​ Hormones go everywhere
●​ Adapts relatively slowly
●​ Sometimes widespread effects

Nervous System
●​ Chemical and electrical signals
●​ Responds and stops quickly
●​ Targets specific organ
●​ Adapts quickly
●​ Usually local effects

Pituitary Gland

Function: produces hormones that stimulate growth, and controls the functions of other glands.
Location: At the base of the brain.
Additional info: Also called the “master gland”.

Hormones of the Pituitary Gland

Oxytocin - activated during and after giving birth, targets the uterus to cause ito to contract during giving
birth, also controls milk secretion in the breasts after giving birth.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone - (ACTH) responsible for the production and secretion of glucocorticoids, the
hormones released by the adrenal gland.

Follicle - stimulating hormone - targets the ovaries by initiating the development of the follicles in the ovary,
which happens monthly.

Growth hormone - promotes the release of insulin - like growth factors, which are responsible for the
production of proteins in the body; maintains muscle and bone mass for growth; also helps in healing
injuries and repair of tissues.

PAGE 1
SCIENCE
LESSON 3 ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: GLANDS AND THEIR HORMONES

Date
Luteinizing hormone - initiates ovulation; also controls the secretion of progesterone

Prolactin - affects the mammary glands by initiating and maintaining the production of milk especially
during pregnancy.

Thyroid - stimulating hormone - helps in producing and secreting the thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland.

Antidiuretic hormone - causes the kidneys to decrease urine production, which helps in conserving more
body water; also known as vasopressin.

Hypothalamus - this is a structure deep within your brain (which is an organ). It’s the main link between
your endocrine system, and your nervous system. It controls the function of the pituitary gland. It makes
two hormones that your pituitary gland stores and releases (oxytocin and vasopressin) and releases two
hormones (dopamine and somatostatin). Also corrects any imbalances in body temperature, stress and your
daily bodily rhythms.

Hormones of Hypothalamus

Oxytocin - assists in the birthing process (stimulates uterine muscle contraction) and in lactation (release of
breast milk)

Vasopressin - also called antidiuretic hormone (ADH), regulates control of your body’s water/urine volume
and blood pressure.

Dopamine - the “feel good” hormone. It gives you a sense of pleasure.

Somatostatin - prevents the secretion of several other hormones, including growth hormone, thyroid -
stimulating hormone, cholecystokinin and insulin.
​
Thyroid Gland

Function: produces hormones that regulate body metabolism, and storage of calcium in bones.
Location: in front of the neck and below the voice box.
Additional Info: needs iodine to function and one of the largest glands.

Hormones of the Thyroid Gland

Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) - also called as thyroid hormones which are responsible for protein
synthesis; regulation of oxygen use metabolism, and growth; and the development of the body.

Calcitonin - responsible for maintaining the calcium level in the body.

Function: produces hormones that control the calcium levels in your body, and normalizes bone growth.
Location: in the neck
Additional info: tiny, lentil sized gland.

PAGE 2
SCIENCE
LESSON 3 ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: GLANDS AND THEIR HORMONES

Date
Hormones of the Parathyroid Gland

Parathyroid Hormone - it is the major regulator of the calcium, magnesium, and phosphate levels in the
blood.

Pancreas

Function: produce hormones that regulate blood sugar levels

Hormones of the Pancreas

Insulin - reduces high blood sugar levels.

Adrenal Gland

Function: produces hormones that affects metabolism, immune system and blood pressure, stress reaction
Location: on top of the kidneys
Additional info: also known as suprarenal glands, are small, triangle - shaped glands.

Hormones of the Adrenal Gland

Mineralocorticoids - maintain the balance of minerals in the body such as sodium and potassium.

Glucocorticoids - break down proteins and triglycerides needed by the body; help in the formation of
glucose; have inflammatory effects; cause suppression of immune responses.

Androgens - secreted by both males and females, but it is an important hormone especially for females
because these are converted into estrogen.

Adrenal Medulla - secretes epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) which are released
during strenuous activities, such as exercise. These hormones control the heart rate, blood pressure, blood
level and breathing rate.

PAGE 3
SCIENCE
LESSON 3 ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: GLANDS AND THEIR HORMONES

Date
Thymus Gland

Function: produces hormones that enable the body to produce T cells before puberty.
Location: in front of the heart.
Additional info: thymus gland is most active during childhood.

Hormones of the Thymus Gland

Thymopoietin - fuels the production of T - cells and tells the pituitary gland to release hormones.

Thymosin and Thymulin - help make specialized types of T - cells.

Thymic humoral factor - keeps your immune system working properly.

Pineal Gland

Function: produce a hormone that regulates the biological clock in some animals.
Location: in the brain.
Additional info: also called as epiphysis cerebri, shaped like a tiny pinecone.

Hormones of the Pineal Gland

Melatonin
●​ Help to synchronize circadian rhythms in different parts of your body
➢​ Circadian rhythms are physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a 24 hour cycle.

●​ Referred to as a “sleep hormone”

Ovaries

Function: produces hormones that influence development of the secondary female sexual characteristics,
and maturation of the egg cells and ovulation.
Location: pelvic area
Additional info: small, oval - shaped glands

PAGE 4
SCIENCE
LESSON 3 ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: GLANDS AND THEIR HORMONES

Date
Hormones of the Ovaries

Estrogen - its essential role in female growth and reproductive development. It helps maintain the
menstrual cycle and facilitates the preparation of the uterus for anticipated and actual pregnancy.

Progesterone - a steroid hormone that plays a key role in preparing all human bodies for reproduction.

Testes

Function: produces hormones that control maturation of sperm and development of the secondary male
sexual characteristics;
Location: scrotum
Additional info: are about two degrees Celsius lower in temperature than the rest of your body.

Hormones of the Testes

Testosterone - is a hormone that causes people to have deeper voices, stronger muscles and body hair.

DISORDERS OF THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM​

Osteoporosis - is a disease that happens when the mineral density of the bone is reduced making it brittle
and porous. Parathyroid hormone secretion is one of the possible causes of this disease.

Goiter - is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. It results from the underproduction or
overproduction of thyroid hormones.

Diabetes - is a condition that happens when your blood sugar (glucose) is too high. It develops when your
pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or any at all, or when your body isn’t responding to the effects of
insulin properly.

Hyperthyroidism - also called overactive thyroid, is a condition where your thyroid makes and releases high
levels of thyroid hormone. This condition can make your metabolism speed up. Symptoms of
hyperthyroidism include a rapid heartbeat, weight loss, increased appetite and anxiety.

Hypothyroidism - is a common condition where the thyroid doesn’t create and release enough thyroid
hormone into your bloodstream. This makes your metabolism slow down. Also called underactive thyroid,
hypothyroidism can make you feel tired, gain weight and be unable to tolerate cold temperatures.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that occurs when
the ovaries create excess hormones. If a person has PCOS, their ovaries produce unusually high levels of
hormones called androgens. This causes the reproductive hormones to become imbalanced. As a result,
people with PCOS often have irregular menstrual cycles, missed periods and unpredictable ovulation.

Gigantism - is a disorder that happens during childhood when there is abnormal increase in height
associated with too much secretion of growth hormones.

Dwarfism - is a condition wherein the production of growth hormones in the pituitary gland is insufficient
resulting in short stature.

PAGE 5