THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Year 9 Biological Science

 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Describe and explain the purpose of the endocrine system.

List the structures and functions of glands involved in the endocrine system.
Compare and contrast the nervous system and the endocrine system.
Define homeostasis.
Explain a negative feedback loop.
Provide specific examples of homeostatic mechanisms for the nervous system and
endocrine system.
 WHAT IS THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM?

• A system of glands which secrete different types of hormones directly

into the bloodstream or surrounding tissues.
• Hormones: chemical messages which travel through the bloodstream.
• They communicate with the body by heading toward the target cell
to bring about a change or effect to the cell.
• Works together with the nervous system and immune system to help
the body cope with stress and changes.
 Structure Function Location

Pituitary Gland Controls other glands and body Base of the brain, below the
growth. “Master Gland” hypothalamus.

Thyroid Gland Controls the rate that food is In front of the neck below the
turned into energy. larynx.
“Metabolism”

Pancreas Controls the body’s use of Just below the kidneys, near
glucose. the stomach.
 Gland Hormone Target Organ/Cells Main effects

Thyroid Thyroid gland Secretes hormones from the thyroid

stimulating gland.
hormone (TSH)

Pituitary gland
Antidiuretic Nephrons - Kidneys Increases the amount of water
hormone (ADH) reabsorbed in the distal convoluted
tubule and collecting duct

Pancreas Insulin Most cells Stimulates uptake of glucose; lowers

blood glucose level.
 COMPARISON OF ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
AND NERVOUS SYSTEM

Characteristic Nervous System Endocrine System

Message type Electrical impulses Hormones

Transport of message Neurons Bloodstream

Cells affected Muscles/glands/neurons All body cells

Type of response Local and specific Widespread

Time taken to respond Rapid Slower

Duration of response Brief Long lasting

 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Describe and explain the purpose of the endocrine system.

List the structures and functions of glands involved in the endocrine system.
Compare and contrast the nervous system and the endocrine system.
Define homeostasis.
Explain a negative feedback loop.
Provide specific examples of homeostatic mechanisms for the nervous system and
endocrine system.
 WHAT IS HOMEOSTASIS?

• The process for maintaining an internal ‘steady state’ in an organism.

• The aim is to keep internal conditions within a narrow range or SET POINT.
• If conditions change from set point, organism may die.
• SENSORS constantly monitor conditions of important substances.
• Alert control mechanisms if there are changes.
• EFFECTORS help the body to respond in ways to reset the balance, returning the
conditions to normal levels.
• Muscles or glands!
 FEEDBACK LOOPS

• Help to maintain homeostasis.

• Negative feedback occurs when the response acts to oppose the initial change.
 STIMULUS
A change in the
environment
RECEPTOR
Detects change by sensory
FEEDBACK cells and sends a message to
The response the brain as either a nerve
changes the original impulse (sensory neurons)
stimulus NEGATIVE OR hormone.
FEEDBACK
LOOP

EFFECTOR MODULATOR
Muscles or glands receive Control centre (brain)
the message and brings processes the message and
about a response. sends out a message either
through a nerve impulse
(motor neurons) OR
hormone.
 EXAMPLES OF HOMEOSTASIS…

• Our body can use both the nervous system and the endocrine system to regulate
our internal body temperature.
• It is a cold, windy day. Your body will try to warm you up, how does this
happen?
 NERVOUS SYSTEM

• Receptors detect change in temperature (it is cold) à Sends an impulse through a

sensory neuron to the brain à Brain processes the information à  sends impulse to the
muscles through a motor neuron to make us shiver à brings temperature up.
• This is an example of homeostasis control through the nervous system.
• It is negative feedback because the response is the opposite to what the initial change
is.
 STIMULUS
A change in
temperature (it is
cold) RECEPTOR
Detects change by
FEEDBACK thermoreceptors and sends a
Body temperature message to the brain
increases through sensory neurons
NEGATIVE
FEEDBACK
LOOP

EFFECTOR MODULATOR
Muscles receive the Control centre (brain)
message to shiver to warm processes the message and
the body. sends out a message either
through motor neurons
 ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

• Receptors detect change (it is cold) à send message to brain à make thyroid
gland secrete a hormone à  hormone increases chemical reactions (metabolism)
and heat production à increase temperature.
• This is an example of homeostasis control through the endocrine system.
• It is negative feedback because it is opposite to what the initial change is.
 STIMULUS
A change in
temperature (it is
cold) RECEPTOR
Detects change by sensory
FEEDBACK cells and sends a message to
Body temperature the brain.
increases
NEGATIVE
FEEDBACK
LOOP

EFFECTOR MODULATOR
Hormone increases Brain processes the message
chemical reactions and sends out a message to
(metabolism) and heat make thyroid gland secrete a
production. hormone .
 EXAMPLES OF HOMEOSTASIS…

• It is a hot, dry day and you have just finished running a marathon. Your body
will readjust your fluid levels so you don’t dehydrate. How will this happen?
 ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

• Receptors detect low water in the blood à send message to brain à brain tells
pituitary to secrete Antidiuretic hormone à Antidiuretic hormone causes more
water to go back into blood at kidneys, so you don’t dehydrate.
• This is an example of homeostasis control through the endocrine system.
• It is negative feedback because it is opposite to what the initial change is.
 STIMULUS
A change in the
environment (hot,
dry day, body RECEPTOR
needs more fluid) Receptors detect low water
FEEDBACK
Fluid gets retained in the blood and sends a
in the body so you message to the brain.
don’t dehydrate. NEGATIVE
FEEDBACK
LOOP

EFFECTOR MODULATOR
ADH causes more water to Brain tells the pituitary gland
be reabsorbed back into to secrete antidiuretic
the the kidneys. hormone (ADH).
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Describe and explain the purpose of the endocrine system.

List the structures and functions of glands involved in the endocrine system.
Compare and contrast the nervous system and the endocrine system.
Define homeostasis.
Explain a negative feedback loop.
Provide specific examples of homeostatic mechanisms for the nervous system and
endocrine system.