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The endocrine system produces and regulates the body's hormones. Hormones are chemical substances created and distributed by the body to act as "messengers" and coordinate functions of various body parts. Most hormones are proteins consisting of amino acid chains; some are steroids, fatty cholesterol-produced substances.
Although many different hormones circulate in the bloodstream, each affects only the cells that are genetically programmed to respond to it. Hormone levels can be influenced by stress, infection and changes in the balance of fluid and minerals in blood.
A gland is a group of cells that produces and secretes chemicals. Endocrine glands release more than 20 major hormones directly into the bloodstream, where they may be transported to cells in other parts of the body.
The major parts of the endocrine system include:
- Hypothalamus - The hypothalamus is a part of the brain near the optic chiasm. It secretes hormones that stimulate or suppress the release of hormones in the pituitary gland, in addition to controlling water balance, sleep, temperature, appetite and blood pressure.
- Pineal body - The pineal body is located below the corpus callosum, a part of the brain. It produces the hormone melatonin, a naturally-occurring antioxidant that helps regulate the body's circadian rhythm.
- Pituitary - The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain. No larger than a pea, it gland controls many functions of the other endocrine glands.
- Thyroid and parathyroid glands - The thyroid and parathyroid glands are located in front of the neck, below the larynx (voice box). The thyroid plays an important role in the body's metabolism. Both the thyroid and parathyroid glands also play a role in the regulation of the body's calcium balance.
- Thymus - The thymus is located in the upper part of the chest and produces T-lymphocytes (white blood cells that fight infections and destroy abnormal cells).
- Adrenal glands - The two adrenal glands are located on top of both kidneys. They work hand-in-hand with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
- Kidney - The two kidneys are located near the middle of the back, just below the rib cage. They process the blood to sift out waste products and extra water. This waste and extra water becomes urine, which is stored in the bladder.
- Pancreas - The pancreas is located across the back of the abdomen, behind the stomach. The pancreas plays a role in digestion, as well as in hormone production.
- Ovary - A female's ovaries are located on both sides of the uterus, below the opening of the fallopian tubes (tubes that extend from the uterus to the ovaries). In addition to containing the egg cells necessary for reproduction, the ovaries also produce estrogen and progesterone.
- Testis - A male's testes are located in a pouch that hangs suspended outside his body. The testes produce testosterone and sperm.
- JUNG JI SUN <3
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agowell, it keeps you alive and kickin'. But that's nothing too special =P
The endocrine system is a system of glands, each of which secretes a type of hormone directly into the bloodstream to regulate the body.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoThey transfer information from one set of cells to another to coordinate the functions of different parts of the body.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoSecretion of hormones from cells
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoSecretion of hormones from cells
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What system regulates the body's metabolism growth and functions of the sexual organs?
The Endocrine System.
What system works closely with the endocrine system to coordinate body functions?
The nervous system works closely with the endocrine system to coordinate body functions.
What is the System of glands that regulates metabolisms reproduction and other functions?
That would be the Endocrine system.
Which systems are responsible for controlling physiological and metabolic functions of the body?
The nervous and endocrine systems control the physiologic and metabolic functions of the body.
What does the endocrine system consist of?
adrenal and pituitary glands
How does the Endocrine System interact with the Digestive System?
it has the same functions
What is the three differences in the behavior of the regulatory functions of the nervous and endocrine systems?
The endocrine systems work with the nervous system but they have a few different functions. The endocrine systems use hormones not nerves, the endocrine system is slower than the nervous system because it flows through the blood not the nerves, and the endocrine system also has gland and the nervous system does not.
Is the ovary or pancreas an endocrine gland?
Both the ovary and pancreas have endocrine functions. The ovary also functions in the reproductive system, and the pancreas has an exocrine function in the digestive system.
Is the endocrine system considered anatomy or physiology?
The endocrine system is an organ system. When studying the parts of the endocrine system and their structure, you are studying anatomy. When studying how the endocrine system works, you are studying physiology.
What systems works closely with the endocrine system to coordinate the body's functions?
The system that works closely is the nervous system
What do the endocrine system do?
The endocrine system which is formed of all endocrine glands of body which along with nervous system of body, controls and coordinates the body functions and maintains a homestasis inside the body.
Which system's function secrets hormones to regulate body functions?
Endocrine system
