Explain the function of the endocrine system. how does this system adjust the amount of hormones being made?

Question

Explain the function of the endocrine system. how does this system adjust the amount of hormones being made?

Answer 1

In general, the endocrine system is in charge of body processes that happen slowly, such as cell growth. Faster processes like breathing and body movement are controlled by the nervous system. But even though the nervous system and endocrine system are separate systems, they often work together to help the body function properly.

The foundations of the endocrine system are the hormones and glands. As the body's chemical messengers, hormones transfer information and instructions from one set of cells to another. Many different hormones move through the bloodstream, but each type of hormone is designed to affect only certain cells.

A gland is a group of cells that produces and secretes, or gives off, chemicals. A gland selects and removes materials from the blood, processes them, and secretes the finished chemical product for use somewhere in the body. Some types of glands release their secretions in specific areas. For instance, exocrine (pronounced: ek-suh-krin) glands, such as the sweat and salivary glands, release secretions in the skin or inside the mouth. Endocrine glands, on the other hand, release more than 20 major hormones directly into the bloodstream where they can be transported to cells in other parts of the body.

The major glands that make up the human endocrine system include the:

    * hypothalamus

    * pituitary gland

    * thyroid

    * parathyroids

    * adrenal glands

    * pineal body

    * reproductive glands (which include the ovaries and testes)

Answer 2

endocrine system deals with homestasis (maintaining a balance in the body) and it does this primarily by using hormones.

A negative feedback system is used, eg with the production of insulin

1 We eat food which releases sugar into the blood

2. sensors within the blood vessels detect high levels of sugar

3 signal is sent to pancreas to release hormone (insulin)

4 insulin lowers sugar levels by converting sugar to glygogen

5 sensors detect normal levels of sugar

6 signal is sent to stop production of insulin