Republic of the Philippines

DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL - WESTERN VISAYAS CAMPUS
Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION DIVISION

Biological Sciences Unit

BIOLOGY 1: Introduction to Biology

School Year 2019-2020

Topic: Endocrine System

Time Frame: 50 minutes/meeting
Number of Meetings: At least two meetings
Resources or Materials needed: Computer or laptop, internet, module
References: https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/endocrine.html
https://www.britannica.com/science/human-endocrine-system
https://www.healthline.com/health/the-endocrine-system#hormones
https://www.scienceabc.com/humans/feedback-mechanism-what-are-positive-
negative-feedback-mechanisms.html
https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Human_Biology/Book%3A_Human_Biol
ogy_(Wakim_and_Grewal)/10%3A_Introduction_to_the_Human_Body/10.7%3
A_Homeostasis_and_Feedback

MODULE 4.3: The HUMAN ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

TARGET
After completing this module, you are expected to be able to:

• Identify the functions of the endocrine system and explain how the endocrine system regulate body
functions (feedback mechanisms)
• Identify and describe the major organs of the endocrine system
• Identify and give the major hormones produced and give their functions

HOOK

THINKING BOX

How do organisms communicate?

Can you identify ways on how animals communicate with one another?
Do plants communicate too? How do they do it?
How do we, humans, communicate?
Why do we need to communicate?
Do cells in the human body communicate also? How?

Explore your ideas by writing a journal entry on these questions. Place your answers on a separate paper then
email it to your respective subject teachers: Beryllium: cjmediodia@wvc.pshs.edu.ph; Lithium:
fernandojolito@wvc.pshs.edu.ph; Neon: abelaong@wvc.pshs.edu.ph
Cells in the human body must communicate with one another to coordinate cell processes within tissues and to
maintain homeostasis. Cell-to-cell communication is carried out via messenger molecules. There are four methods of
cell-to-cell communication are found in the human body, ranging from direct to remote communication.

At the same time, there are three types of chemical signals are used for cell-to-cell communication.
 IGNITE
In order to understand how the cells of the human body communicate, we have to look into the human endocrine
system and study how it works.

I. ENDOCRINE SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Human endocrine system is a group of ductless glands that regulate body processes by secreting chemical
substances called hormones. Hormones are the body's chemical messengers. They carry information and instructions
from one set of cells to another. They act on nearby tissues or are carried in the bloodstream to act on specific target
organs and distant tissues.

The endocrine system is responsible for regulating a range of bodily functions through. Some examples of
these are:
a. metabolism
b. growth and development
c. sexual function and reproduction
d. heart rate
e. blood pressure
f. appetite
g. sleeping and waking cycles
h. body temperature

The endocrine system also regulates how much of each hormone is released. This can depend on levels of
hormones already in the blood, or on levels of other substances in the blood, like calcium. Although many things affect
hormone levels, such as stress, infection, and changes in the balance of fluid and minerals in blood.

II. ORGANS OF THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

The following organs below are part of the human endocrine system.
III. ORGANS AND HORMONES OF THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

1. PITUITARY GLAND
It is located at the base of the brain, and is no bigger than a pea. Despite its small size, the pituitary is often called the
"master gland." It is divided into two parts, the anterior pituitary gland and the posterior pituitary gland. The hormones
it makes control many other endocrine glands.

1.1 Anterior Pituitary Gland – produces the following hormones:

a. Growth hormone (GH) - affects growth of skeletal muscles and bones
b. Prolactin - stimulates milk production after pregnancy
c. Gonadotropic hormone - regulates hormone activity of sex organs
d. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) - stimulates egg maturation in the ovary and release of sex hormones
e. Lutenizing hormone (LH) - stimulates maturation of egg and of the corpus luteum surrounding the egg, which
affects female sex hormones and the menstrual cycle
f. Adrenocorticotropic hormone - causes the adrenal gland to release cortisol
g. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone - stimulates synthesis of skin pigments
h. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) - stimulates the thyroid to release thyroxine

1. 2 Posterior Pituitary Gland – produces the following hormones:

a. Oxytocin - helps during pregnancy
b. Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) - inhibits urine production
*Alcohol inhibits ADH causing increased output of urine

MAJOR PITUITARY GLAND HORMONES

2. THYROID GLAND
It is located in the front part of the lower neck. It is shaped
like a bow tie or butterfly. It produces the following hormones:
a. Thyroid hormone - controls the rate at which glucose is
“burned”
b. Calcitonin - decreases calcium levels in blood deposits
on bone
3. PARATHYROID GLANDS
They are four tiny glands located in front of the neck, particularly in the
thyroid glands. They produce the hormone:
a. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) - regulates calcium (Ca2+) in blood
*If Ca2+ level drops, bones is broken down

4. ADRENAL GLANDS
These two triangular glands sit on top of each kidney. The adrenal
glands have two parts. The outer part is the adrenal cortex and the
inner part which is the adrenal medulla.

The adrenal cortex makes hormones called corticosteroids that help

control salt and water balance in the body, the body's response to
stress, metabolism, the immune system, and sexual development and
function.

The inner part is the adrenal medulla makes catecholamines, such as

epinephrine, also called adrenaline. Epinephrine increases blood
pressure and heart rate when the body is under stress.

5. PANCREAS
It is located in the abdomen behind the stomach. It produces
hormones that regulate blood sugar.
a. Insulin - increases glucose uptake into cells and stores
in liver
b. Glucagon - stimulates breakdown of glucose stores in
the liver
6. PINEAL GLAND
It is located in the midbrain. It is important in the regulation of
the sleep-wake cycle. It produces the hormone melatonin that
establishes body’s day/night cycle.

7. THYMUS
It is located in the upper torso and is active until puberty. It produces the hormone, thymosin, which is important for
the development of a type of white blood cell called a T cell.

8. GONADS
The gonads are the main source of sex hormones. Both males and females have gonads. The male gonads, or testes,
are in the scrotum. They secrete hormones called androgens, the most important of which is testosterone. A female's
gonads, the ovaries, are located in the pelvis. They make eggs and secrete the female hormones estrogen and
progesterone. These hormones tell body when it's time to make the changes associated with puberty.
III. FEEDBACK: MAINTAINING HOMEOSTASIS

The human body is like any other system. It carries out a myriad of functions, and like any functioning entity,
it needs a way of maintaining balance or homeostasis. The body uses the feedback it receives from a particular process
to monitor how well it is functioning. Based on the outcome, it decides whether it should continue performing a
specific action, or if it should stop the action. This is called a feedback mechanism. There are 2 types of feedback
mechanisms – positive and negative. Positive feedback is like praising a person for a task they do. Negative feedback
is like reprimanding a person. It discourages them from performing the said task.

EXAMPLES OF FEEDBACK MECHANISM

1. NEGATIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM

In negative feedback, the body uses feedback to stop a particular action/task. Negative feedback mechanisms
tend to bring the body from a disturbed state to a balanced state, i.e., it favors balance. The majority of the systems
in the body follow the negative feedback mechanism, as the body prefers a balanced environment.

Balancing glucose levels in blood: A negative feedback mechanism

Let’s consider the case of our blood sugar level. The body’s blood sugar levels are mainly controlled by 2
hormones – insulin and glucagon. These are secreted by the pancreas through special cells known as the Islets of
Langerhans. Insulin converts glucose molecules to glycogen and glucagon converts glycogen to glucose.

When the sugar concentration in our blood increases, after a meal, for example, it is detected by receptors in
the pancreas. These receptors then secrete insulin. This converts glucose to glycogen, which is stored in our liver. Thus,
the sugar concentration in our blood is brought back to normal.

Conversely, when the sugar levels in our blood drop, this change is detected by the receptors in the pancreas.
These stimulate the release of glucagon and stop the secretion of insulin. The glucagon converts the stored glycogen
in the liver to glucose molecules, thus increasing the blood sugar concentration.

In this way, the body relies on the increasing or decreasing sugar level in the blood to determine which
hormone shall be secreted and which shall be stopped.

Cells take up
Depress appetite glucose from blood

Liver takes up
glucose for storage

Liver releases
glucose to blood Stimulate hunger
2. POSITIVE FEEDBACK MECHANISM
In positive feedback, the body uses the effect of a particular action/task to perform more of the same behavior.
It tends to favor extreme conditions, rather than establish a balance.

Childbirth: A positive feedback mechanism

The figure below shows the positive feedback loop that controls childbirth. The process normally begins when the
head of the infant pushes against the cervix. This stimulates nerve impulses, which travel from the cervix to the
hypothalamus in the brain. In response, the hypothalamus sends the hormone oxytocin to the pituitary gland, which
secretes it into the bloodstream so it can be carried to the uterus. Oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions, which
push the baby harder against the cervix. In response, the cervix starts to dilate in preparation for the passage of the
baby. This cycle of positive feedback continues, with increasing levels of oxytocin, stronger uterine contractions, and
wider dilation of the cervix until the baby is pushed through the birth canal and out of the body. At that point, the
cervix is no longer stimulated to send nerve impulses to the brain, and the entire process stops.

Childbirth

NAVIGATE
Copy the questionnaire below on a separate word page, then answer the given questions. Email the
answered questionnaire to your respective subject teachers: Beryllium:
cjmediodia@wvc.pshs.edu.ph; Lithium: fernandojolito@wvc.pshs.edu.ph; Neon:
abelaong@wvc.pshs.edu.ph

LET’S TRY THIS!

Listed below are the major hormones produced by the human body.

ACTH estrogen Luteinizing hormone testosterone

adrenaline FSH noradrenaline thyroxin
aldosterone glucagons parathormone TSH
calcitonin growth hormone prolactin
cortisol insulin progesterone
Next to each gland listed below, write the name of the hormone or hormones it produces.
1. pituitary_________________________________________________________________________
2. thyroid__________________________________________________________________________
3. parathyroid______________________________________________________________________
4. adrenal__________________________________________________________________________
5. pancreas (islets of Langerhans)_____________________________________________________
6. testis____________________________________________________________________________
7. ovary___________________________________________________________________________

Next to each of the functions listed below, write the name of the hormone that produces this effect.
8. raises the blood sugar and increases the
heartbeat and breathing rates _____________________________________

9. causes glucose to be removed from the blood _____________________________________

and stored

10. influences the development of female secondary _____________________________________

sex characteristics

11. promotes the conversion of glycogen to glucose _____________________________________

12. controls the metabolism of calcium _____________________________________

13. promotes the reabsorbation of sodium and _____________________________________

potassium ions by the kidney

14. influences the development of male secondary _____________________________________

sex characteristics

15. stimulates the elongation of the long bones of _____________________________________

the body

16. stimulates the secretion of hormones by the _____________________________________

cortex of the adrenal glands

17. regulates the rate of metabolism in the body _____________________________________

18. stimulates the development of eggs in the _____________________________________

female’s ovary

19. involved in the regulation of carbohydrate, _____________________________________

protein and fat metabolism

20. stimulates the production of thyroxin _____________________________________

 KNOT

• In summary, the following below are the different organs and hormones produces by the endocrine system
and their functions:

ORGANS HORMONES FUNCTIONS

Thyroid Thyroxine Regulates metabolism

Calcitonin Inhibits release of calcium from the bones

Parathyroids Parathyroid hormone Stimulates the release of calcium from the bones.

Islet cells (in Insulin Decreases blood sugar by promoting uptake of glucose by cells.
the pancreas)

Glucagon Increases blood sugar by stimulating breakdown of glycogen in the

liver.

Testes Testosterone Regulates sperm cell production and secondary sex characteristics.

Ovaries Estrogen Stimulates egg maturation, controls secondary sex characteristics.

Progesterone Prepares the uterus to receive a fertilized egg.

Adrenal cortex Epinephrine Stimulates “fight or flight” response.

Adrenal Glucocorticoids Part of stress response, increase blood glucose levels and decrease
medulla immune response.

Aldosterone Regulates sodium content in the blood.

Androgen (in both Adult body form (greater muscle mass), libido.
sexes)

Pineal gland Melatonin Sleep cycles, reproductive cycles in many mammals.

 • Homeostasis is the condition in which a system such as the human body is maintained in a more-or-less steady
state. It is the job of cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems throughout the body to maintain homeostasis.
• Homeostasis is generally maintained by a negative feedback loop that includes a stimulus, sensor, control
center, and effector. Negative feedback serves to reduce an excessive response and to keep a variable within
the normal range. Negative feedback loops control body temperature and the blood glucose level.
• Positive feedback loops are not common in biological systems. Positive feedback serves to intensify a response
until an endpoint is reached. Positive feedback loops control blood clotting and childbirth.
• Sometimes homeostatic mechanisms fail, resulting in homeostatic imbalance. Diabetes is an example of a
disease caused by homeostatic imbalance. Aging can bring about a reduction in the efficiency of the body’s
control system, making the elderly more susceptible to disease.

EVALUATION
Answer the attached worksheet on the next page of this module, then email your answered worksheet to your
respective subject teachers: Beryllium: cjmediodia@wvc.pshs.edu.ph; Lithium: fernandojolito@wvc.pshs.edu.ph;
Neon: abelaong@wvc.pshs.edu.ph

Prepared by:

CATHERINE JOY A. MEDIODIA (Sgd)

Biology 1 Instructor

Recommending Approval:

Dr. ANGELO P. OLVIDO (Sgd) Dr. ROLANDO S. LIBUTAQUE (Sgd)

Biological Sciences Academic Unit Head CID Chief

Approved by:

Dr. SHENA FAITH M. GANELA (Sgd)

Campus Director
 Biology 1
Name ________________________________
SY 2019 - 2020
Section _______________________________
The Endocrine System
Vocabulary Objectives
Endocrine System, hormone, gland, secrete, homeostasis, regulate 1. Identify the function/s of the endocrine system.
2. Identify major organs of the endocrine system.
3. Relate the function of the endocrine system with the
nervous system.

What is the Endocrine System?

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________
How does the endocrine system
regulate body functions?
___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

What is a hormone and what is/are its function/s?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Examples of Endocrine Hormones and their Functions

Hormone Gland Function

Pineal

Adrenal

Pituitary

Pancreas

Testes

Ovaries
How does the endocrine system compare to the nervous system? Compare and
contrast these two systems of the body using the Venn Diagram below.

Endocrine Nervous

Why are negative feedback mechanisms MORE common than positive feedback
mechanisms in the human body? Give 2 other examples of negative feedback mechanism
in the human body not mentioned in the module.

What might happen if an endocrine hormone such as thyroid hormone was controlled
by positive instead of negative feedback?

Amelia had a thyroid test. Her doctor gave her an injection of TSH and 15 minutes
later measured the level of thyroid hormone in her blood. What is TSH?
Why do you think Amelia’s doctor gave her an injection of TSH? How would this
affect the level of thyroid hormones in her blood if her thyroid is normal?