CHAPER 12

The Endocrine System

ANTS

EAKRINI LANIS

be eeaect otsto the wiiace

thery of the target cells or organs e g. swea: glarnd. hve.
parereas sala

ENDOCRINE GLANDS
. ndocrire glaris are the giarncds that do not havt a duct systerm ard release ther scretions or horho

dire tiy rbo the bluKd stream

EndoTie glardn and theit ecretions (hormones) are responsible for coxordinatirg the activites o ver

d l y prarts, together with the nervous system

ERternal gland. pituitary glarnd, ovaries. thyrosd gland,etc

r r e r beturen Endocrine aná ixocrne gland

Endocrine Glands Exocrine Glands

Criteria
Giands that secrete substances through
Definition CGlands that secrete hormornes direct!v into the
cavities ur onto body
blood strearm ducts into body
sturtaces

They have ducts

StructureE They are ductiess glands
artd otheT
They secrete hormornes hey secrete ernuytnes
Secretion
substancRS
attect
Hormones travel through the bloodstream and Enzymes and other substances
Target the body nearby organs/tissues through
ducts
organtissue attect target organs/tissues throughout
Salivary glarnd, sweat gland, mammary
ituitary gland, thyroid giand.
adrenai gland
Examples giand
Aid in digestion, lubrication,
various physiological
Function Regulate and maintain thermoregulation, and protection
functions such as metabolisn, growth
developnment, and reproduction

ADRENAL GLANDD

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 Gland
Adrenal
Inside a n

P A N

adrenal
cortex - capsule

adrenal
medulla

The human body has two adrenal glands.

These glands are also known as suprarenal glands.
They prepare body for emergencies.
I n response, the body prepares itselfto fight, fright and flight.

Location
anterior or superior to the kidney.
A pair of adrenal glands are

Structure
The right gland is pyramidal in shape and the left gland is semilunar in shape.

There are three distinct layers of the adrenal glands:

1. Adrenal Capsule
2. Adrenal Cortex
3. Adrenal Medulla

Functions
1. Adrenal Capsule:
The adrenal capsule is the outermost layer of the adrenal gland. Its main function is to provide
structural support and protection to the gland. It does not produce any hormones.

2. Adrenal Cortex:
The adrenal cortex produces several hormones. The most important are aldosterone (a mineralocorticoidl),
cortisol (a glucocorticoid), and androgens and oestrogen (sex hormones):

Cortisol: This hormone regulates metabolism and helps the body respond to stress.
ii. Aldosterone: This hormone helps regulate blood pressure by controlling the balance of salt and
water in the body.
ii. Androgens: These male sex hormones are produced in small amounts by both men and women
and play a role in the development of secondary sexual characteristics.

3. Adrenal Medulla:
The adrenal medulla is the innermost layer of the adrenal gland, and it produces two hormones:

i. Epinephrine (adrenaline): This hormone helps the body respond to stress by increasing heart rae
constricting blood vessels, and dilating air passages.

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 Biology Study Material
nephrine (noradrenaline
Narepinephrine (OrAdrenaline):
egulate bood pressure. This hormone has ds
similar effects lo
similar
to epinephrine
NCREATIC GLAN
epinephnrineaand also helys

24NCKEAS ano organ with exo-endocrine

tunctions,
ar evels and aidin digesticon is erucial.
is classified as a heterocrine
A sugarkvels;
gland. Its role in lating
Fegia b

eas
d aat
is located the loop of the duodenum,
situated below the
2ne
stomach and the
and +
spine, while the remainder is stomach. A portior
tion of the pancreas lies
Acween
the duodenum.
found in the curve of the
first
known as section of the sma.

ike a fattened leaf.

e apear

FaDCrine function-

roduce pancreatic juice which i5 transported by the pancreatic duct to the

duodenum (target organ).

Endocrine function-
.siets of Langernans (Specialized cells) produce hormones which are
transported by the blood to the
targei cells. They release insulin and glucagon directly into the bloodstream.
.tinchudes specialised 3 types of cells-Islets of Langerhans.
Tney ere the alpha, beta, and the delta cells.

3. Alpha cells
t secretes Glucagon.
coverts the gycogen stored in the liver into glucose.
Thusincreasesthe glucose level in the blood.
ecsetion stimulated when there is a low level of glucose in the blood and while exvercining

4.Beta cells
t secretes Insulin.
converts the gjucose in the blood into glycogen to be slored in the liver and muacles,
h trus checks the level of glucose in the blood.

isRselion of insulin
Causes diahetes melitus.

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 ogen, henco
hence level uf
Biology Study Material glucose
tO
B'ycogen,

convert the
unable
to
are
cells
muscle

disease the liver

and
this
(sweet or
honey ik
t urine
in
the

glucose in blood rises. of

glucOse

Hyperglycaemia. p r e s e n c e

called with
his condition is also urination,

quent
Increased thirst,
Symptor blood.

in lhe
glucose
Hyppersecretion of inSulin decreased
levels of
leads to unconscious

of i n s u l i n b e c o e

. Incre Secretion or may

state
Hypoglycaemia.
T h i s condition is also called as may
entera
coma

a person

r tine glucose level falls too low,

this.
intake can also cause
An excess

Symptoms: Weakness, tremor.

THYROID GLAND

Location trachea, just

ventral sides
of the
lt as situated o n
the lateral and

below the larynx.

Structure are TTT

bilobed structure. The two lobes
It isButterfly shaped,
called isthmus.
joined by a piece of tissue
narrow

Lobe ol stms
Functions
lodine is an important thyroid gland
Secretes hormone called thyroxin. Tradea
constituent of thyroxin.
metabolism (BMR), which is the
It regulates the basal
heat production Thyroid gland
rate of cellular oxidation, resulting in
at rest.
and energy formation when the body is children.
mental growth and development
especially in
It regulates general physical and
It helps control the body weight.

Hyposecretion of Thyroxin
Condition Hypo Secretion of Thyroxine Effects

Cretinism Severe mental and physical retardation

Stunted growth
Impaired hearing and speech
- Coarse facial features

Short and thick neck

- Abdominal protrusion

Delayed puberty
Myxoedema Lethargy and fatigue
Dry and coarse skin
-

Hair loss and brittle nails

Intolerance to cold
-

Weight gain and constipation

-

Puffy face and swollen tongue

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