...breast milk to feed a baby. Other glands release hormones (say: hor-mones), which are substances inside your body that tell it how to work and how to grow. Glands that do this are part of the endocrine (say: en-doh-krin) system. Puberty — body changes that turn a kid into an adult — depend on the endocrine system. Still other things that we call "glands" are part of your immune (say: ih-myoon) system. They release substances that help you fight off illnesses and, if you are sick, help you get better. When you have a bad cold and your neck glands are swollen, that is your immune system in action. Exocrine glands are a type of ductal glands that secrete their products (including digestive enzymes, and some hormone chemical messengers) into ducts that lead directly into the external environment. They are the counterparts to endocrine glands, which secrete their products (hormones) directly into the bloodstream (ductless glands) or release hormones (paracrines) that affect only target cells nearby the release site. The hypothalamus (from Greek ὑπό = under and θάλαμος = room, chamber) is a portion of the brain that contains a number of small nuclei with a variety of functions. One of the most important functions of the hypothalamus is to link the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland (hypophysis). The hypothalamus is located under the thalamus, one of the most evolutionarily ancient parts of the human brain, which is located directly at its...
Words: 1278 - Pages: 6
...The Endocrine System BIO / 101 The Endocrine System The endocrine system is defined as any system within an animal that regulates the functioning of the organism or is used in the production of hormones. These systems can range anywhere from a simple center in the nervous system to a more intricate collection of glands that are in the human endocrine system. Qualified endocrinologists have been analyzing the advancement of the endocrine systems and the roles that they play in an animals’ adaptive behavior in an environment as well as their production of offspring. It is surprising to find that the research of endocrinology in mammals has been advanced by research in non-mammal animals. For example, the mechanisms in the body that control salt and water content were discovered in fishes first, this led to the discovery of comparable functions in mammals. The understanding in how the endocrine system is structured in non-mammals offers critical information into understanding how the human endocrine system functions. The most basic endocrine system deals with the secretion and storage of hormones within nervous tissue or neurohemal organs. These hormones can be secreted directly into circulation of the body or stored into organs that have direct contact with the blood vessels that allow the hormones to be put into circulation. There are cells located within the endocrine glands that stem from various nerve cells that have traveled during the evolutionary process to different...
Words: 423 - Pages: 2
...The Endocrine System When we look at the human body we realize that our body is made up of many systems that do a lot of different things. We will be focusing on the endocrine system. Throughout this paper we will be educating you on the purpose of the endocrine system, the organs within the system, the job of each organ, the relationship the endocrine system has with the rest of the body and medical problems and diseases associated with the endocrine system. The endocrine system are glands that produce and secrete hormones that the body uses for many different functions. These functions include respiration, metabolism, reproduction, sensory perception, movement, sexual development and growth. Also regulates the activity of cells or organs....
Words: 1863 - Pages: 8
...The Endocrine System Dirty Sanchez BEH/225 Introduction to Behavioral Science 19 March 2014 Mrs. Piggy The Endocrine System Human behavior can be affected by several factors; a person’s upbringing, the surrounding environment, and one’s personality. These are all examples of what one sees on the outside of the body. Inside the body, there is a system that can have several effects on human behavior. This system is called the endocrine system. This system is made up of glands that secrete hormones into the lymph system, also known as the bloodstream. Glands such as the thyroid and adrenal secrete hormones that affect human behavior. The thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormones such as triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which regulate the human body’s metabolism. The adrenal glands secrete hormones such as, adrenalin and noradrenalin which can be related to fear and anger. The endocrine system’s secretions of hormones throughout the human body plays a large role on how a human behavior. The Role of the Endocrine System Like the nervous system, the endocrine system goes hand-in-hand in controlling and coordinating the reflexes and reactions of the human body. The endocrine glands create and execute communications throughout the body that are just as important as the nervous system (Coon & Mitterer, p. 74, 2012). Through secretion of chemicals, also known as hormones, the endocrine system secretes these...
Words: 746 - Pages: 3
...Psychology Brandi C. Guisto Hormones and Neurotransmitters Many communication pathways exist within human. The endocrine system and the central nervous system are the two main systems that regulate activities and transmit messages throughout various organs and glands in the human body. These systems use stimuli released from glands or neurons in order to adjust levels of chemicals to the body to ensure the body is performing properly (Huffman, 2013). The stimuli released from these systems are hormones and neurotransmitters. Hormones, though having some similarities to neurotransmitters, have very different and specific functions within the body. The endocrine system is made up of a network of glands which releases hormones directly into the bloodstream. This system helps to regulate long-term processes, like growth, on-going processes, like digestion, and bodily responses to emergencies. Each gland within the endocrine system releases a specific hormone to stimulate another gland. Parathyroid glands, which reside behind the thyroid, release the parathyroid hormone which keeps calcium levels in the blood stable. The pancreas secretes the hormones glucagon and insulin to increase or decrease glucose levels in the blood. The pineal gland secretes melatonin to assist in regulating sleep patterns. The hypothalamus, one of the staples of the endocrine system, secretes many hormones including anti-diuretic hormone and oxytocin to stimulate other glands in the body, such as the...
Words: 458 - Pages: 2
...The brain and spinal cord have the vital job of controlling every bodily function thus controlling every body system. Two systems which they interact with are the endocrine and respiratory system. Central Nervous System’s Interactions with the Endocrine System The endocrine system sends hormones into the blood, sending messages throughout the body. This role is much like the central nervous system’s, which sends messages throughout the body by neuron synapse. The hypothalamus is a tiny collection of nuclei at the forebrain’s base. It regulates the body’s basic needs like sleep, thirst, hunger, and sex, as well as responses to emotion and stress. The pituitary gland controls the endocrine system and hangs from the hypothalamus by a thin stalk....
Words: 724 - Pages: 3
...description and referencing)=380(fell short by 5%) What are the functions of the systems listed below? Using examples, explain how important each system is. Central nervous system The main role of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) is to process every sensation and thought of the body and mind. The brain interprets information from our senses and internal organs and passes information out in order to control body movements. The spinal cord is the connector between the body and the brain. A person without the CNS would not be able to exist and respond to any sensation and information from external, as well as internal (body) world. Which includes: inability to see, smell, hear, talk, feel, breath, think, move and many other countless...
Words: 509 - Pages: 3
... By Jess Ross Respiratory system The respiratory system is made up of organs that help the body to breathe that is its main function. The lungs are the main organs of the respiratory system. In the lungs oxygen is taken into the body and carbon dioxide is breathed out. The red blood cells are responsible for picking up the oxygen in the lungs and carrying the oxygen to all the body cells that need it. The red blood cells drop off the oxygen to the body cells, then pick up the carbon dioxide which is a waste gas product produced by our cells. The red blood cells transport the carbon dioxide back to the lungs and we breathe it out when we exhale. Renal system The renal system (also known as the urinary system) consists of the kidneys, urethras, urinary bladder, and urethra. The kidneys filter the blood to remove wastes and produce urine. The urethras, urinary bladder, and urethra together form the urinary tract, which acts as a plumbing system to drain urine from the kidneys, store it, and then release it during urination. Besides filtering and eliminating wastes from the body, the urinary system also maintains the homeostasis of water, ions, pH, blood pressure, calcium and red blood cells. Within the system renal veins take blood from the kidneys straight into the vena cava, the main within the body. Nervous system The nervous system comprises the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system, the nerves running to and from...
Words: 1060 - Pages: 5
...intelligence, temperament, talents, and other characteristics, as well as genetic predispositions to psychological and neurological disorder. Evolutionary psychologists study the origins of behaviors and mental processes, emphasizing the adaptive or survival value of such traits. Evolutionary psychologists look at the role that natural selection might have played in selecting for adaptive behaviors, especially during the long period that our ancestors lived as hunter gatherers. The nervous system is not the only mechanism that regulates the functioning of our bodies. The endocrine system plays a key role in helping to coordinate and integrate complex psychological reactions. In fact, as we’ve noted throughout this chapter, the nervous system and the endocrine system work together in a constant chemical conversation. The endocrine glands release chemical substances called hormones that are carried throughout your body by the bloodstream. Hormones serve a similar function to neurotransmitters: They carry messages. Indeed, the same substance for example, norepinephrine may serve both as a neurotransmitter and as a hormone. A main difference between the nervous and the endocrine systems is speed. A nerve impulse may travel through the body in a few hundredths of a second, but hormones may take seconds,...
Words: 381 - Pages: 2
...can be viewed as a characteristic of a system that regulates its internal environment and tends to sustain a stable, constant, condition of properties. It’s a system that helps maintain the value of the body within a normal range. Without homeostasis the body cannot function properly. The body is made up of millions of cells that work with each other to keep the body up and running. When in homeostasis the body runs through a number of activities like the circulatory, immune, respiratory, nervous and endocrine systems. Homeostasis is essential to keep the body running nice and smooth. The brain is the control center of all activity in the body and is the organ that is responsible for sustaining homeostasis. The hypothalamus is a portion of the brain that controls the pituitary gland, regulating the endocrine system and also plays a huge role over internal organs via the nervous system. The nervous system is part of maintaining homeostasis. The nervous system is a network of nerves and cells that carry impulses to and from the brain to parts all over the body. The nervous system is made up of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. The Central nervous system is made up of the brain and spinal cord while...
Words: 812 - Pages: 4
...Behavior The brain is a very complex organ that controls everything we do. The central nervous system and spinal cord play a huge role in our behavior. Hormones affect behavior when we get anxious, excited, or even depressed. Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by cell or gland (Cherry, 2012). The term hormone was introduced by Bayliss and Starling in 1902 to describe a chemical substance that travels around the body influencing physiology and behavior (Gibson, 2010). Hormones tell the body to execute certain physical and intellectual behaviors’. The system that is responsible for producing hormones is called, “The endocrine system”. The endocrine system is made up of glands that secrete chemicals directly into the bloodstream or lymph system (Coon/Mitterer, 2011). The effects of hormones are different for men and women. Women produce hormones called, “estrogen”. This hormone affects a woman’s moods and emotions. Another hormone that can affect both men and women are called, “Steroids”. When the steroid passes into the bloodstream to the brain; this causes changes in behavior. The steroid hormone can cause anger and aggressive behavior in both men and women. There are eight different glands that all have different objectives. One gland is the “thyroid” which regulates a person’s metabolic rate, which is the amount of energy expended daily by a person at rest ("The Endocrine System", 2010). The thyroid gland, located in the neck, regulates metabolism. As you may remember...
Words: 527 - Pages: 3
...The Endocrine System- Hormones and Behavior The Endocrine System Hormones & Behaviors Our behavior is not solely a product of the nervous system. The endocrine glands are equally important parallel communication system in the body. The endocrine system is made up of glands that secrete chemicals directly into the bloodstream or the lymph system. I have found a table that shows which glands are in the body and what exactly they produce or do for a human. Adrenal glands - Divided into 2 regions; secrete hormones that influence the body's metabolism, blood chemicals, and body characteristics, as well as influence the part of the nervous system that is involved in the response and defense against stress. Hypothalamus - Activates and controls the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary body functions, the hormonal system, and many body functions, such as regulating sleep and stimulating appetite. Ovaries and testicles - Secrete hormones that influence female and male characteristics, respectively. Pancreas -Secretes a hormone (insulin) that controls the use of glucose by the body. Parathyroid glands - Secrete a hormone that maintains the calcium level in the blood. Pineal body - Involved with daily biological cycles. Helps regulate the body rhythms and sleep cycles. Pituitary gland - Produces a number of different hormones that influence various other endocrine glands. Thymus gland - Plays a role in the body's immune...
Words: 1082 - Pages: 5
...The nervous system has 3 main parts to it: CNS (central nervous system) Which includes the brain and spinal cord. PNS (peripheral nervous system) PNS consist of motor neurons and sensory neurons. The function of the nervous system is to control and regulate the involuntary and voluntary actions. Send and receive signals to different parts of the body, also maintains homeostasis. The sensory receptors react to stimuli appropriately. Two types of cells in the nervous system neurons and neuroglia neurons: The neurons process the information and transmits it through electrical and chemical signals, the signals that happen between neurons happen via synapses. They’re specialised cells and these neurons can connect to each other which form neural...
Words: 2858 - Pages: 12
...Ambiguity of the word Stress is a term that is commonly used today but has become increasingly difficult to define. It shares, to some extent, common meanings in both the biological and psychological sciences. The term stress had none of its contemporary connotations before the 1920s. It is a form of the Middle English destresse, derived via Old French from the Latin stringere, "to draw tight."[1] It had long been in use in physics to refer to the internal distribution of a force exerted on a material body, resulting in strain. In the 1920s and 1930s, the term was occasionally being used in biological and psychological circles to refer to a mental strain, unwelcome happening, or, more medically, a harmful environmental agent that could cause illness. Walter Cannon used it in 1926 to refer to external factors that disrupted what he called homeostasis.[2] Homeostasis is a concept central to the idea of stress. In biology, most biochemical processes strive to maintain equilibrium, a steady state that exists more as an ideal and less as an achievable condition. Environmental factors, internal or external stimuli, continually disrupt homeostasis; an organism’s present condition is a state in constant flux wavering about a homeostatic point that is that organism’s optimal condition for living. Factors causing an organism’s condition to waver away from homeostasis can be interpreted as stress. A life-threatening situation such as a physical insult or prolonged starvation can greatly...
Words: 1472 - Pages: 6
...Heredity and Hormones BEH/225 April 12, 2011 Heredity and Hormones Human behavior can be affected by many things. Human behavior though is more influenced by hormones than heredity. Genes do not directly cause behavior. Genes do affect the development and operation of the nervous system and the endocrine system which influence the likelihood of certain behavior (Morris & Maisto, 2002). Nature vs. Nurture means that scientists think that people behave as they do according to genetic predispositions (nature). Other scientists believe that people behave or think a certain way because they were taught to be that way (nurture). Scientists believe that DNA plays a part in human behaviors, and this debate continues (Powell, 2010). The endocrine system is made up of endocrine glands that produce hormones. Hormones are also involved in regulating the emotional life. Hormones organize the nervous system and body tissues plus they have a dramatic effect on mood (Morris & Maisto, 2002). The endocrine glands are located throughout the body. Thyroid gland is located just below the voice box and it produces Thyroxin, which regulates the body’s metabolism rate. Too much or too little can affect how a person feels and behaves. The thyroid contains four tiny organs that control the calcium and phosphate within the body and can influence levels of excitability (Morris & Maisto, 2002). Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland. Melatonin regulates the sleep-wake...
Words: 615 - Pages: 3
