13.
Hormones in
humans
The human endocrine system
Endocrine glands
inflow outflow
of blood of blood
• richly supplied with capillaries
• produce hormones which diffuse directly
into blood
The human endocrine system
Hormonal coordination
Hormones
• chemical messengers that only act on
specific target cells / organs
• important to
regulation of
body processes
and internal
environment
The Endocrine System
regulates, coordinates and
controls:
Growth and development.
Male and female development.
How your body uses energy.
Levels of salts and sugars in
your blood.
The amount (volume) of fluid in
your body.
Appetite.
Many other body functions.
The Endocrine
Glands are the
organs of the
Endocrine System.
They produce and
secrete (release)
Hormones.
Hormones
They are located all
over your body.
The answer is
Hormones!
Hormones are chemical
messengers that are secreted
(released) from glands into the
blood and affect cells in another
part of the body.
Hormones only work on certain cells, called
target cells.
The target cells have special receptors that
“recognize” the hormones and allow them to
influence that cell.
Target
Target Cell
Cell for
for Target Cell for Target Cell for
Hormone
Hormone A A Hormones A and B Hormone B
Hormone A Hormone B
These receptors recognize the hormones.
They “fit” like a lock and key.
External stimuli Internal stimuli
by way of nerves
from the sensory by way of nerves
organs in the nervous and other hormones
system from inside the body
Brain reacts by way Brain also reacts by
of secretions from way of nerves from
neurons in hypothalamus and
hypothalamus brainstem
(neurohormones)
“Autonomic Nervous System”
What is the
difference between
nerve and hormone
control?
Why both kinds
of controls?
Discuss your answers.
The nervous system and endocrine system are both
involved in controlling the internal conditions of a mammal.
nervous control endocrine control
electrical chemical
signal type
(action potential) (hormones)
reach the target relatively slow,
speed of signal cells in travelling in the
milliseconds bloodstream
duration of signal short lasting long lasting
When do you think endocrine control would be advantageous
over nervous control?
Gland What it Regulates
Pituitary “Master Gland” that regulates all other
Endocrine Glands, also releases growth
hormone
Thyroid Metabolism, body heat, bone growth
Parathyroids Use of Calcium and Phosphorous
Hypothalamus Links nervous system to endocrine system
Adrenal Response in emergency or stressful
situations, metabolism, blood pressure, salt
balance
Pancreas Blood sugar
Ovaries Production of eggs; female characteristics
Testes Production of sperm; male characteristics
Thymus Parts of the immune system
Where it comes from: Adrenal
Gland
Where it acts: heart, blood
vessels, eyes
What it does: stimulates heart
rate, increases blood pressure,
dilates pupils
Causes "Adrenaline Rush”
A 'fight and flight' hormone.
It is released in high stress
conditions or in excitement or
fear.
Loud noise, high temperature
etc. may also trigger its
release since these are also
high stress situations.
Return to hormones slide
• Where it comes from:
ovary (where an egg
was released)
• Where it acts: uterus
• What it does: controls
menstruation in
women and plays a
role in pregnancy.
• One of the
components of birth
control pills
Return to hormones slide
Where it comes from:
thyroid gland
Where it acts: most cells of
the body
What it does: controls the
rate of metabolic processes
(how energy is used) in the
body and influences
physical development
People may not produce
enough of this hormone and
get a condition known as
hypothyroidism. They can
take thyroxine to treat this
condition. Return to hormones slide
Where it comes from: testicles
Where it acts: body-hair cells,
muscle, reproductive structures
What it does: stimulates
development of male sexual
characteristics
Testosterone is a steroid and has
been administered to athletes in
order to improve performance.
This is considered to be a form of
doping in most sports and is a
very dangerous practice.
Females also produce small
amounts of testosterone in their
ovaries that affect muscle
development and other body
functions. Return to hormones slide
Where it comes from: ovary
Where it acts: breast tissue,
reproductive structures in
female
What it does: stimulates
development of female
sexual characteristics
Estrogen levels may be
related somehow to
migraine headaches in
women.
Return to hormones slide
Where it comes from:
Insulin is produced in the
pancreas
Where it acts: liver,
muscle, and fat tissue
What it does: Insulin
causes cells to take up
glucose (sugar) from the
blood, storing it in the
liver and muscle, and
stopping use of fat as an
energy source.
Problems with insulin
production or use in the
body can lead to
diabetes. Return to hormones slide
What are the functions of the Endocrine
System?
Name 5 Endocrine Glands and what they do.
What are hormones?
How do hormones work?
Name some hormones and what they do.
At what times in your life do you think your
Endocrine System is most active?
