The Endocrine System

Chemical Control
 What is the Endocrine System?
The endocrine system is a series of glands that produce and secrete
hormones that the body uses for a wide range of functions. These
control many different bodily functions, including:
• Respiration
• Metabolism
• Reproduction
• Sensory perception
• Movement
• Sexual development
• Growth
 What are
Hormones?
•Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers and
are part of the endocrine system. Endocrine glands
make hormones, which travel through the
bloodstream to tissues and organs, and control
most of our body’s major systems. The endocrine
system regulates our heart rate, metabolism – how
the body gets energy from the foods we eat –
appetite, mood, sexual function, reproduction,
growth and development, sleep cycles, and more.
They only affect the cell/organ they target. They
travel through our bloodstream in plasma.
•When they are in proper balance, hormones help
the body thrive. But sometimes hormone levels are
too high or too low. Hormone imbalances can
occur any time regardless of one’s age and cause
serious health problems requiring ongoing medical
management.
What are Endocrine
Glands?

•Endocrine glands are glands of

the endocrine system that secrete
their products, hormones, directly
into the blood rather than through
a duct. The major glands of
the endocrine system include the
pineal gland, pituitary gland,
pancreas, ovaries, testes,
thyroid gland, parathyroid gland,
hypothalamus and adrenal glands.
The Endocrine Glands VS Regular Glands

Endocrine Gland Regular Gland

• Lack Ducts • Often have Ducts
• Directly releases the substance they • Do not directly release the
produce into the blood substance they produce into the
blood