A hormone is any member of a class of signaling molecules, produced by glands in multicellular organisms, that are transported by the circulatory system to target distant organs to regulate physiology and behavior. Endocrine glands are small organs that make and release hormones into the blood stream. This is where they are located in human body:
Differences between endocrine and nervous system? The endocrine system is a network of glands and organs located throughout the body. It’s similar to the nervous syestem in that it plays a vital role in controlling and regulating many of the body’s functions.However, while the nervous system uses nerve impulses and neurotransmitters for communication, the endocrine system uses chemical messengers called hormones.
Functions?
The endocrine system is responsible for regulating a range of bodily functions through the release of hormones. Hormones are secreted by the glands of the endocrine system, traveling through the bloodstream to various organs and tissues in the body. The hormones then tell these organs and tissues what to do or how to function.
Some examples of bodily functions that are controlled by the endocrine system include:
- metabolism
- growth and development
- sexual function and reproduction
- heart rate
- blood pressure
- appetite
- sleeping and waking cycles
- body temperature
Hormones are the chemicals the endocrine system uses to send messages to organs and tissue throughout the body. Once released into the bloodstream, they travel to their target organ or tissue, which has receptors that recognize and react to the hormone.
Below are some examples of hormones that are produced by the endocrine system.
| Hormone | Secreting gland(s) | Function |
| adrenaline | adrenal | increases blood pressure, heart rate, and metabolism in reaction to stress |
| aldosterone | adrenal | controls the body’s salt and water balance |
| cortisol | adrenal | plays a role in stress response |
| dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA) | adrenal | aids in production of body odor and growth of body hair during puberty |
| estrogen | ovary | works to regulate menstrual cycle, maintain pregnancy, and develop female sex characteristics; aids in sperm production |
| follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) | pituitary | controls the production of eggs and sperm |
| glucagon | pancreas | helps to increase levels of blood glucose |
| insulin | pancreas | helps to reduce your blood glucose levels |
| luteinizing hormone (LH) | pituitary | controls estrogen and testosterone production as well as ovulation |
| melatonin | pituitary | controls sleep and wake cycles |
| oxytocin | pituitary | helps with lactation, childbirth, and mother-child bonding |
| parathyroid hormone | parathyroid | controls calcium levels in bones and blood |
| progesterone | ovary | helps to prepare the body for pregnancy when an egg is fertilized |
| prolactin | pituitary | promotes breast-milk production |
| testosterone | ovary, teste, adrenal | contributes to sex drive and body density in males and females as well as development of male sex characteristics |
| thyroid hormone | thyroid | help to control several body functions, including the rate of metabolism and energy levels |
