2. The Endocrine System
The Endocrine System
Second messenger system of the body
Uses chemical messages (hormones)
that are released into the bloo
Hormones control several major
processes
Reproduction
Growth and development
Mobilization of body defenses
Maintenance of much of homeostasis
Regulation of metabolism
3. Hormone Overview
Hormone Overview
Hormones are produced by specialized
cells
Cells secrete hormones into
extracellular fluids
Blood transfers hormones to target sites
These hormones regulate the activity of
other cells
4. The Chemistry of Hormones
The Chemistry of Hormones
Amino acid-based hormones
Proteins
Peptides
Amines
Steroids – made from cholesterol
Prostaglandins – made from highly
active lipids
5. Mechanisms of Hormone Action
Mechanisms of Hormone Action
Hormones affect only certain tissues or
organs (target cells or organs)
Target cells must have specific protein
receptors
Hormone binding influences the working
of the cells
6. Control of Hormone Release
Control of Hormone Release
Hormone levels in the blood are
maintained by negative feedback
A stimulus or low hormone levels in the
blood triggers the release of more
hormone
Hormone release stops once an
appropriate level in the blood is reached
7. Hormonal Stimuli of Endocrine
Hormonal Stimuli of Endocrine
Glands
Glands
Endocrine glands
are activated by
other hormones
8. Humoral Stimuli of Endocrine
Humoral Stimuli of Endocrine
Glands
Glands
Changing blood
levels of certain
ions stimulate
hormone release
9. Location of Major Endrocrine Organs
Location of Major Endrocrine Organs
Figure 9.3
10. Pituitary Gland
Pituitary Gland
Size of a grape
Hangs by a stalk from the hypothalamus
Protected by the sphenoid bone
Has two functional lobes
Anterior pituitary – glandular tissue
Posterior pituitary – nervous tissue
11. Hormones of the Anterior Pituitary
Hormones of the Anterior Pituitary
Six anterior pituitary hormones
Two affect non-endocrine targets
Four stimulate other endocrine glands
(tropic hormones)
Characteristics of all anterior pituitary
hormones
Proteins (or peptides)
Act through second-messenger systems
Regulated by hormonal stimuli, mostly
negative feedback.
13. Growth Hormone (GH)
Growth Hormone (GH)
General metabolic hormone
Major effects are directed to growth of
skeletal muscles and long bones
Causes amino acids to be built into
proteins
Causes fats to be broken down for a
source of energy
14. Functions of Other Anterior Pituitary
Functions of Other Anterior Pituitary
Hormones
Hormones
Prolactin (PRL)
Stimulates and maintains milk production
following childbirth
Function in males is unknown
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Regulates endocrine activity of the adrenal
cortex
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Influences growth and activity of the thyroid
15. Functions of Other Anterior Pituitary
Functions of Other Anterior Pituitary
Hormones
Hormones
Gonadotropic hormones
Regulate hormonal activity of the gonads
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Stimulates follicle development in
ovaries
Stimulates sperm development in
testes
16. Functions of Other Anterior Pituitary
Functions of Other Anterior Pituitary
Hormones
Hormones
Gonadotropic hormones (continued)
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
Triggers ovulation
Causes ruptured follicle to become the
corpus luteum
Stimulates testosterone production in
males
Referred to as interstitial cell-stimulating
hormone (ICSH)
17. Hormones of the Posterior Pituitary
Hormones of the Posterior Pituitary
Oxytocin
Stimulates contractions of the uterus during
labor
Causes milk ejection
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
Can inhibit urine production
In large amounts, causes vasoconstriction
leading to increased blood pressure
(vasopressin)
18. Hormones of the Posterior Pituitary
Hormones of the Posterior Pituitary
19. Thyroid Gland
Thyroid Gland
Found at the base of the throat
Consists of two lobes and a connecting
isthmus
Produces two hormones
Thyroid hormone
Calcitonin
21. Thyroid Hormone
Thyroid Hormone
Major metabolic hormone
Composed of two active iodine-
containing hormones
Thyroxine (T4) – secreted by thyroid
follicles
Triiodothyronine (T3) – conversion of T4 at
target tissues
23. Parathyroid Glands
Parathyroid Glands
Tiny masses on the posterior of the
thyroid
Secrete parathyroid hormone
Stimulate osterclasts to remove calcium
from bone
Stimulate the kidneys and intestine to
absorb more calcium
Raise calcium levels in the blood
24. Adrenal Glands
Adrenal Glands
Two glands
Cortex – outer glandular region in three
layers
Medulla – inner neural tissue region
Sits on top of the kidneys
25. Hormones of the Adrenal Cortex
Hormones of the Adrenal Cortex
Mineralocorticoids (mainly aldosterone)
Produced in outer adrenal cortex
Regulate mineral content in blood, water,
and electrolyte balance
Target organ is the kidney
Production stimulated by renin and
aldosterone
Production inhibited by atrial natriuretic
peptide
26. Hormones of the Adrenal Cortex
Hormones of the Adrenal Cortex
27. Hormones of the Adrenal Cortex
Hormones of the Adrenal Cortex
Glucocorticoids (including cortisone and
cortisol)
Produced in the middle layer of the adrenal
cortex
Promote normal cell metabolism
Help resist long-term stressors
Released in response to increased blood
levels of ACTH
28. Hormones of the Adrenal Cortex
Hormones of the Adrenal Cortex
Sex hormones
Produced in the inner layer of the adrenal
cortex
Androgens (male) and some estrogen
(female)
29. Hormones of the Adrenal Medulla
Hormones of the Adrenal Medulla
Produces two similar hormones
(catecholamines)
Epinephrine
Norepinephrine
These hormones prepare the body to
deal with short-term stress
30. Pancreatic Islets
Pancreatic Islets
The pancreas is a mixed gland
The islets of the pancreas produce
hormones
Insulin – allows glucose to cross plasma
membranes into cells from beta cells
Glucagon – allows glucose to enter the blood
from alpha cells
These hormones are antagonists that
maintain blood sugar homeostasis
33. Pineal Gland
Pineal Gland
Found on the third ventricle of the brain
Secretes melatonin
Helps establish the body’s wake and sleep
cycles
May have other as-yet-unsubstantiated
functions
34. Thymus
Thymus
Located posterior to the sternum
Largest in infants and children
Produces thymosin
Matures some types of white blood cells
Important in developing the immune system
35. Hormones of the Ovaries
Hormones of the Ovaries
Estrogens
Produced by Graafian follicles or the placenta
Stimulates the development of secondary
female characteristics
Matures female reproductive organs
Helps prepare the uterus to receive a fertilized
egg
Helps maintain pregnancy
Prepares the breasts to produce milk
36. Hormones of the Ovaries
Hormones of the Ovaries
Progesterone
Produced by the corpus luteum
Acts with estrogen to bring about the
menstrual cycle
Helps in the implantation of an embryo in
the uterus
37. Hormones of the Testes
Hormones of the Testes
Interstitial cells of testes are hormone-
producing
Produce several androgens
Testosterone is the most important
androgen
Responsible for adult male secondary sex
characteristics
Promotes growth and maturation of male
reproductive system
Required for sperm cell production
38. Other Hormone-Producing Tissues
Other Hormone-Producing Tissues
and Organs
and Organs
Parts of the small intestine
Parts of the stomach
Kidneys
Heart
Many other areas have scattered
endocrine cells
39. Endocrine Function of the Placenta
Endocrine Function of the Placenta
Produces hormones that maintain the
pregnancy
Some hormones play a part in the
delivery of the baby
Produces HCG in addition to estrogen,
progesterone, and other hormones
40. Developmental Aspects of the
Developmental Aspects of the
Endocrine System
Endocrine System
Most endocrine organs operate smoothly
until old age
Menopause is brought about by lack of
efficiency of the ovaries
Problems associated with reduced estrogen
are common
Growth hormone production declines with age
Many endocrine glands decrease output with
age