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Introduction to the Human Endocrine System
This page is a basic introduction
to the Human Endocrine System.
General Introductory Notes:
Basic summary notes about the endocrine
system include:
- Hormones are 'chemical messengers'.
- Hormones have 'target organs'.
- Endocrine glands are ductless glands that secret
hormones directly into the blood.
Functions of Hormones:
- Hormones help to regulate:
- Hormones control growth and development.
- Hormones govern the opertation of reproductive
systems.
Comparison between the Endocrine System and the Nervous
System:
- Hormones are transported around (to
their target organs) the body by the
blood.
Therefore hormonal responses are relatively slow
compared with nervous responses.
- Many hormonal responses (e.g. growth) occur over
relatively long periods of time.
- The main purpose of the Endocrine System is to maintain Homeostasis within the body (that is, to keep
the internal environment constant/within
balance), whereas
the key function of the Nervous System is to receive
and respond to stimuli.
- Generally, the endocrine system is controlled
by the Nervous System (through the Hypothalamus,
mediated by the Pituitary Gland).
This is the end of this page but information about
the Locations
of and Hormones secreted by the main Endocrine
Glands and other aspects of the Endocrine
System, such as Diabetes
and other
Conditions that Affect the Endocrine System
are included on other pages of this website.
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