Tuesday, July 5, 2011

What is Endocrine glands ?


The endocrine gland system consists of glands that transmit chemical messengers throughout the body. Then these chemical messengers are called hormones. In addition these hormones are transmitted by the blood to the tissue on which it has a specific effect. But exocrine glands secrete chemicals into duct which transport them inside or outside body. (Sweat and mucus glands etc…) Also hypothalamus synthesizes and releases hormones from its axon terminals into the blood circulation.

Questions ( click comments and type your answers):
1- What is the function of Endocrine glands ?
2- What is the difference between Endocrine and Exocrine glands  ?
3- How these hormone transmitted into the body ?
References :

Towle, A. (1999). Modern Biology. Austin, TX: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.
 
Farabee, M. J. (2001). The Endocrine System. Retrieved May 18, 2010, from http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/biobookendocr.html

4 comments:

  1. 3- Hormones and are transmitted by blood, no ducts are available .

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  2. 3. These hormones are transmitted by the blood to the tissues where each has a specific effect.

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  3. These are the basic Functions of the Endocrine Glands within the human body:

    Anterior Pituitary Gland – functions as a tropic hormone to stimulate thyroid, adrenal and follicle stimulating hormones

    Posterior Pituitary Gland – functions to stimulate the production of antidiuretic hormones and oxytocin, which stimulates uterine contractions during labour

    Hypothalamus Gland – stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroxine.

    Parathyroid Gland – functions to produce parathyroid hormones which cause the breakdown of bone and an increase in circulating calcium concentrations within blood

    Adrenal Cortex Gland – regulates electrolyte and fluid homeostasis, stimulates libido, and stimulates gluconeogenesis during times of stress

    Adrenal Medullar Gland – produces and excretes adrenalin, which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system during times of stress

    Panreatic Islets Gland – produces the hormone glucagon, which promotes glycogenolyis and insulin, which acts as a ligand (key) to allow entry of blood glucose into muscle cell walls.

    Ovary Gland – produces estrogen and progesterone, which promotes female sexual development and pregnancy

    Testis Gland – releases testosterone and promotes the development of male sexual characteristics

    Thymus Gland – promotes the development of thymus cells, which aid in immune system development and maintenance

    Placenta Gland – promotes conditions required during early pregnancy

    Atria – release atrial natiuretic hormone (ANH), which regulates fluid and electrolyte homeostasis

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  4. 1-Endocrine glands are glands of the endocrine system that secrete their products, hormones, directly into the blood rather than through a duct. The main endocrine glands include the pituitary gland, pancreas, ovaries, testes, thyroid gland, and adrenal glands.

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