HORMONAL COORDINATION
A hormone is a chemical substance produced by a gland, carried by the blood, which changes the
activity of one or more specific target organs.
The differences between exocrine and endocrine glands
Endocrine glands Exocrine glands
Have no ducts. Their secretions are Have ducts, secretions carried directly from
passed through ducts on to the them by the blood, e.g. sweat gland, tear
epithelial cells gland, etc
Produce hormones Their secretions not hormones
Examples of endocrine glands and hormones they produce
Gland Hormone
Thyroid thyroxine
Adrenal Adrenaline
Pituitary Anti diuretic hormone (ADH)
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
Luitenising hormone (LH)
Pancreas Insulin
Glucagon
Testis Testosterone
Ovaries Oestrogen
progesterone
Effects of insulin
1. Insulin reduces the blood glucose level when it is high, by stimulating the liver cells to
convert excess glucose to glycogen.
2. It promotes the conversion of glucose to fats.
3. It increases the uptake of glucose into cells.
4. It reduces conversion of proteins into carbohydrates (deamination)
Effects of glucagon
1. It raises the blood glucose level when it is low by stimulating the liver cells to convert the
stored glycogen to glucose.
Effects of adrenaline
This is commonly known as a flight or fight hormone because it prepares the body for action. It has
the following effects;
1. It increases the rate of heart beat
2. Increases the rate and depth of breathing
3. Constricts the blood vessels carrying the blood to the gut (alimentary canal) and the skin
hence diverting more blood to the muscles.
4. It also promotes the conversion of the stored glycogen to glucose.
The above mentioned effects help to provide more glucose and more oxygen to release energy
for the working muscles.
Effects of testosterone
1. It controls the production and development of sperms.
2. Regulates the development of the male secondary sexual characteristics, e.g. enlargement
of sex organs; growth of facial, pubic and armpit hair; more muscle development and
deepening of voice.
Effects of oestrogen
1. It is responsible for the development of the secondary sexual characteristics in females, e.g.
development of breasts; broadening of hips; enlargement of the vagina, growth of armpit
and pubic hair.
2. It prepares the uterus for implantation by making its lining thicker and rich in blood vessels.
NEGATIVE FEEDBACK
The release of a message which result in a response of opposite effect.
Example
When the blood sugar is high, the pancreas is stimulated to release insulin which in turn
stimulates liver cells to convert excess glucose to glycogen, hence lowering blood sugar level
back to normal.
The follicle stimulating hormone secreted by the pituitary gland stimulates the ovaries to
produce oestrogen, but the moment the oestrogen level increases the production of follicle
stimulating hormone stops, which will lead to a decrease in oestrogen level.
When temperature is high an impulse sent to the skin from the brain which triggers changes
like sweat which will result in loss of heat from the body leading to a drop in body
temperature back to normal.
Comparison between the nervous and the endocrine systems
Nervous Endocrine
Information passes as electrical signals called Information passes as a chemical substance
impulses called hormones
Transmission through the nerves Transmission through the blood
Rapid transmission and immediate response Transmission through the blood
e.g. blinking
Response short lived Response long lasting
Response very exact because impulses sent Response usually widespread because
directly to target organs hormones dispersed throughout the body
