Copyright 2007 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Benjamin Cummings.

1
THE
ENDOCRINE
SYSTEM
PARTH
2
Hormones:
Come from endocrine glands
Circulate in the blood stream
Act on specific cells in the body
Endocrine Functions: Hormones
3
Access to every cell
Each hormone acts only on specific cells
(target cells)
Only specific cells have receptors for specific
hormones
Endocrine control slower than nervous
system
Endocrine and nervous systems interact
Endocrine System Characteristics
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Steroid Hormone Action on a
Target Cell
Figure 13.2
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Steroid Hormones:
Lipid soluble, chemically derived from
cholesterol
Enter target cells
Activate specific genes to produce specific
proteins
Slower acting than nonsteroid hormones,
minutes to hours
Classification of Hormones:
Steroid
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Nonsteroid Hormone Action on a
Target Cell
Figure 13.3
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Nonsteroid hormones:
Water soluble
Bind to receptors on target cell membranes
Work through intermediate mechanisms to
activate existing enzymes
Faster action than steroid hormones, seconds
to minutes
Classification of Hormones:
Nonsteroid
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Example of a
Negative
Feedback
Loop:

Homeostasis
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Location of Major Endrocrine Organs
Slide 9.14
Figure 9.3
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Hormones of the Pituitary Gland
Table 13.1
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Hypothalamus and the Anterior
Pituitary Gland
Figure 13.7
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Anterior pituitary
Connection to hypothalamus: releasing and
inhibiting hormones from hypothalamus
travel to pituitary through pituitary portal
system
Hormones
ACTH: stimulates adrenal cortex
TSH: acts on thyroid gland
FSH, LH, Prolactin: related to control of
reproductive cycles and lactation
Growth Hormone: widespread effects on body
Hypothalamus and the Anterior
Pituitary Gland
13
Posterior pituitary
Connection to hypothalamus: hormones made
in hypothalamus, stored in posterior pituitary
Hormones: nonsteroidal
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH): conserves water in
kidneys, regulates water balance in body
Oxytocin: causes uterine contractions during labor
and milk ejection through neuroendocrine reflex
Hypothalamus and the Posterior
Pituitary Gland
14
Gigantism: hypersecretion of growth
hormone
Pituitary Dwarfism: hyposecretion of growth
hormone
Pituitary Disorders
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Pituitary
Gigantism
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Pituitary Dwarfism
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Structures: islets of Langerhans

Hormones: nonsteroidal
Glucagon: made by alpha cells, raises blood
sugar
Insulin: made by beta cells, lowers blood sugar
Pancreas: Endocrine Functions
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Location of Major Endrocrine Organs
Slide 9.14
Figure 9.3
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Roles of Insulin and Glucagon in
Regulating Blood Glucose
Figure 13.9
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Location of Major Endrocrine Organs
Slide 9.14
Figure 9.3
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Adrenal cortex
Secretion: mediated through hypothalamus-
pituitary secretions
Hormones: steroidal
Glucocorticoids: cortisol blood glucose regulation
Mineralocorticoids: aldosterone sodium/fluid/urine
Adrenal Glands: Cortex
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Secretion of Cortisol
Figure 13.10
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Cushings Disease
Oversecretion of
Cortisol
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Adrenal medulla: neuroendocrine organ
Secretion: sympathetic nervous system
Hormones: nonsteroidal
Epinephrine and Norepinephrine: enhance
function of sympathetic nervous system
(Fight or flight)
Adrenal Glands: Medulla
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Roles of the Hypothalamus and Adrenal
Glands in the Stress Response
Slide 9.31
Figure 9.12
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Secretion: controlled through hypothalamus-
pituitary secretions

Steroidal hormones:
Thyroxine (T
4
) and Triiodothyronine (T
3
):
both regulate production of ATP from
glucose, affects metabolic rate
Calcitonin: lowers blood calcium levels
Thyroid Gland
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Graves Disease overactive thyroid
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Secretion: response to lowered blood
calcium levels
Hormone: Parathyroid hormone (PTH),
nonsteroidal
Removes calcium and phosphate from bone
Increases absorption of calcium by the
digestive tract
Increases renal retention of calcium and
excretion of phosphate
Parathyroid Glands
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Location of Major Endrocrine Organs
Slide 9.14
Figure 9.3
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Hormone: testosterone (steroidal)
Functions:
Regulates development and normal functioning of
sperm, male reproductive organs, male sex drive
Development of male secondary sex characteristics
Testes
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Hormones (steroidal) and functions:
Estrogen: initiates development of secondary
sex characteristics, regulates menstrual cycle
Progesterone: regulates menstrual cycle
Ovaries
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Ovarian Cycle
Figure 16.6