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ENDOCRINE GLAND AND STRESS
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. Hormones Definition
“Hormones are chemicals synthesized and produced by the specialized glands to control and regulate the activity of certain cells and organs. These specialized glands are known as endocrine glands.”
2. Types: To regulate various functions, different types of hormones are produced in the body. They are classified as follows: Peptide Hormones and
Steroid Hormones.
3. Peptide Hormones: Peptide hormones are composed of amino acids and are soluble in water.
4. Steroid Hormones: Steroid hormones are fat-soluble and are able to pass through a cell membrane. Sex hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and progesterone are examples of steroid hormones.
5. Endocrine glands: Hormones are released by the endocrine glands. These are different from other glands of the human body as they are ductless.
6. Ductless gland - Ductless gland is any of the glands of the endocrine system that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.
7. Endocrine system: The endocrine system works to regulate certain internal processes. (Note: endocrine shouldn’t be confused with exocrine. Exocrine glands, such as sweat and salivary glands, secrete externally and internally via ducts. Endocrine glands secrete hormones internally, using the bloodstream.)
The endocrine system helps control the following processes and systems:
Growth and development
Homeostasis (the internal balance of body systems)
Metabolism (body energy levels)
Reproduction
Response to stimuli (stress and/or injury)
Glands
Hypothalamus: It controls the body temperature, regulates emotions, hunger, thirst, sleep, moods and allow the production of hormones.
Pineal: Pineal is also known as the thalamus. It produces serotonin derivatives of melatonin, which affects sleep patterns.
“Hormones are chemicals synthesized and produced by the specialized glands to control and regulate the activity of certain cells and organs. These specialized glands are known as endocrine glands.”
2. Types: To regulate various functions, different types of hormones are produced in the body. They are classified as follows: Peptide Hormones and
Steroid Hormones.
3. Peptide Hormones: Peptide hormones are composed of amino acids and are soluble in water.
4. Steroid Hormones: Steroid hormones are fat-soluble and are able to pass through a cell membrane. Sex hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and progesterone are examples of steroid hormones.
5. Endocrine glands: Hormones are released by the endocrine glands. These are different from other glands of the human body as they are ductless.
6. Ductless gland - Ductless gland is any of the glands of the endocrine system that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream.
7. Endocrine system: The endocrine system works to regulate certain internal processes. (Note: endocrine shouldn’t be confused with exocrine. Exocrine glands, such as sweat and salivary glands, secrete externally and internally via ducts. Endocrine glands secrete hormones internally, using the bloodstream.)
The endocrine system helps control the following processes and systems:
Growth and development
Homeostasis (the internal balance of body systems)
Metabolism (body energy levels)
Reproduction
Response to stimuli (stress and/or injury)
Glands
Hypothalamus: It controls the body temperature, regulates emotions, hunger, thirst, sleep, moods and allow the production of hormones.
Pineal: Pineal is also known as the thalamus. It produces serotonin derivatives of melatonin, which affects sleep patterns.
Hypothalamus
hypothalamus, a structure deep in your brain, acts as your body's smart control coordinating center. Its main function is to keep your body in a stable state called homeostasis. It does its job by directly influencing your autonomic nervous system or by managing hormones.
Thymus: The thymus makes white blood cells called T lymphocytes (also called T cells). These are an important part of the body's immune system, which helps us to fight infection. The thymus produces all our T cells before we become teenagers.
Parathyroid: This gland helps in controlling the amount of calcium present in the body.
Thymus: It helps in the production of T-cells, functioning of the adaptive immune system and maturity of the thymus.
Thyroid: It produces hormones that affect the heart rate and how calories are burnt.
Adrenal: This gland produces the hormones that control the sex drive, cortisol and stress hormone.
Pituitary: It is also termed as the “master control gland,”. This is because the pituitary gland helps in controlling other glands. Moreover, it develops the hormones that trigger growth and development.
Pancreas: This gland is involved in the production of insulin hormones, which plays a crucial role in maintaining blood sugar levels.
Testes: In men, the testes secrete the male sex hormone, testosterone. It also produces sperm.
Ovaries: In the female reproductive system, the ovaries release estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and other female sex hormones.
All these glands work together to produce and manage the hormones of the body.
Hormones:
List of Important Hormones
Cortisol – It has been named as the “stress hormone” as it helps the body in responding to stress. This is done by increasing the heart rate, elevating blood sugar levels etc.
Estrogen-This is the main sex hormone present in women which bring about puberty, prepares the uterus and body for pregnancy and even regulates the menstrual cycle. Estrogen level changes during menopause because of which women experience many uncomfortable symptoms.
Melatonin – It primarily controls the circadian rhythm or sleep cycles.
Progesterone – It is a female sex hormone also responsible for menstrual cycle, pregnancy and embryogenesis.
Testosterone – This is the most important sex hormone synthesized in men, which cause puberty, muscle mass growth, and strengthen the bones and muscles, increase bone density and controls facial hair growth.
Thymus: It helps in the production of T-cells, functioning of the adaptive immune system and maturity of the thymus.
Thyroid: It produces hormones that affect the heart rate and how calories are burnt.
Adrenal: This gland produces the hormones that control the sex drive, cortisol and stress hormone.
Pituitary: It is also termed as the “master control gland,”. This is because the pituitary gland helps in controlling other glands. Moreover, it develops the hormones that trigger growth and development.
Pancreas: This gland is involved in the production of insulin hormones, which plays a crucial role in maintaining blood sugar levels.
Testes: In men, the testes secrete the male sex hormone, testosterone. It also produces sperm.
Ovaries: In the female reproductive system, the ovaries release estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and other female sex hormones.
All these glands work together to produce and manage the hormones of the body.
Hormones:
List of Important Hormones
Cortisol – It has been named as the “stress hormone” as it helps the body in responding to stress. This is done by increasing the heart rate, elevating blood sugar levels etc.
Estrogen-This is the main sex hormone present in women which bring about puberty, prepares the uterus and body for pregnancy and even regulates the menstrual cycle. Estrogen level changes during menopause because of which women experience many uncomfortable symptoms.
Melatonin – It primarily controls the circadian rhythm or sleep cycles.
Progesterone – It is a female sex hormone also responsible for menstrual cycle, pregnancy and embryogenesis.
Testosterone – This is the most important sex hormone synthesized in men, which cause puberty, muscle mass growth, and strengthen the bones and muscles, increase bone density and controls facial hair growth.
