Transcript The Endocrine System

The Endocrine System
The Endocrine System
The other communication system in the body—is
made up of endocrine glands that produce hormones,
chemical substances released into the bloodstream to
guide such processes as metabolism, growth, and
sexual development.
Endocrine Glands
Glands of the endocrine system that release
hormones into the bloodstream
Hormones
Chemical substances released by the endocrine
glands; they help regulate bodily activities
Hormones
• Hormones interest psychologists for two
reasons:
•
•
•
First: At certain stages in our development hormones
organize the nervous system and body tissue
Second: Hormones activate behaviors
Thyroid Gland
• Thyroid Gland
• Endocrine gland located below the voice
box; it produces the hormone thyroxin.
• What it does:
• Regulates the body’s rate of metabolism
•
Parathyroid Glands
• Parathyroids
• Four tiny glands embedded in the
thyroid; they secrete
parathormone
• What they do:
• Control and balance the levels of
calcium and phosphate in the
blood and tissue fluids
Pineal Gland
• Pineal Gland
• A gland located roughly in the center
of the brain that appears to regulate
activity levels over the course of a
day
• What it does:
• Appears to regulate activity by
controlling the release of melatonin
The Pancreas
• The Pancreas
• Organ lying between the
stomach and small intestine
• What it does:
• Secretes insulin and glucagon to
regulate blood-sugar levels
Pituitary Gland
• Pituitary Gland
• Gland located on the underside
of the brain; it produces the
largest number of the body’s
hormones
• It has two parts that function
separately:
- Posterior Pituitary
- Anterior Pituitary
Posterior Pituitary
• Posterior Pituitary
• Part of the pituitary that
affects thirst, sexual behavior,
and perhaps maternal
behavior
Anterior Pituitary
• Anterior Pituitary
• Part of the pituitary known as
the “master gland” because it
produces numerous hormones
that trigger the action of other
glands
• What it does:
• Regulates body growth and also
affects motivation and emotions
Gonads
• The Gonads
• The reproductive glands- testes in
males and ovaries in females.
• What they do:
• They play a number of important
organizing roles in human
development
Adrenal Glands
• Adrenal Glands
• Two endocrine glands located just
above the kidneys. Each adrenal gland
has two parts:
•
- Adrenal cortex
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- Adrenal medulla
Adrenal Cortex
• Adrenal Cortex
• Outer covering of the two adrenal
glands; the adrenal cortex releases
hormones important for dealing with
stress
Adrenal medulla
• Adrenal Medulla
• Inner core of the adrenal glands that
also releases hormones to deal with
stress
Wrapping up
- The endocrine system plays a key role in
helping to coordinate and integrate complex
psychological reactions.
- The nervous system and the endocrine system
work together in a constant chemical
conversation