3.5.18
Endocrine Glands
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Endocrine Glands
The endocrine system coordinates the body’s response to changes in the environment using chemical messengers (hormones). Hormones are released by glands into the bloodstream, where they travel to target organs. There are lots of different endocrine glands:

Pituitary gland
- This is the main endocrine gland or "master gland".
- It is found in the brain and is linked to the hypothalamus (part of the brain that receives signals from receptors).
- The pituitary gland releases hormones in response to changes detected by the hypothalamus.
- Lots of these hormones trigger other glands to release more hormones.
- The pituitary gland releases ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) which acts on the kidneys to control water reabsorption from the urine.
- Two female sex hormones, FSH and LH are released by the pituitary gland.

Adrenal glands
- The two adrenal glands are situated above each kidney.
- They produce adrenaline, which triggers the ‘fight or flight’ response when an organism is presented with a dangerous situation.

Pancreas
- The pancreas produces insulin and glucagon, both of which are involved in regulating blood glucose levels.

Ovaries (female only)
- The ovaries produce oestrogen, which controls puberty and is one of the main hormones in the regulation of the menstrual cycle.
- It also releases progesterone, another female sex hormone.

Testes (male only)
- The testes produce testosterone, which controls puberty and sperm production.
1The Nature & Variety of Living Organisms
1.1Characteristics of Living Organisms
2Structure & Functions in Living Organisms
2.1Organisation Structure
2.1.1Cells2.1.2Tissues2.1.3Organs2.1.4Organ Systems2.1.5Organisms2.1.6Animal cells2.1.7Plant cells2.1.8Cell Differentiation2.1.9Stem Cells2.1.10Uses of Stem Cells2.1.11Disadvantages of Stem Cells2.1.12End of Topic Test - Cell Types & Structures2.1.13Exam-Style Questions - Cells2.1.14Diffusion2.1.15Factors affecting Diffusion2.1.16Surface Area to Volume Ratio2.1.17Diffusion - Experiment2.1.18Osmosis2.1.19Required Practical - Osmosis2.1.20Active Transport2.1.21Transport in Cells2.1.22End of Topic Test - Cell Transport2.1.23Grade 9 - Cell Transport2.1.24Exam-Style Questions - Substance Exchange
2.2Biological Molecules
2.3Nutrition
2.3.1Photosynthesis2.3.2Photosynthesis Equation2.3.3Factors affecting Rate of Photosynthesis2.3.4Photosynthesis - Calculations2.3.5Investigating Photosynthesis2.3.6Testing Leaves for Starch2.3.7Grade 9 - Photosynthesis Experiment2.3.8Exam-Style Questions - Rate of Photosynthesis2.3.9Leaf Adaptations2.3.10Ion Deficiencies2.3.11Human Diet2.3.12Vitamins and Minerals2.3.13Dietary Needs2.3.14Human Digestive System2.3.15Peristalsis2.3.16Villi2.3.17Digestive Enzymes2.3.18Amylase2.3.19Protease2.3.20Lipase2.3.21Bile2.3.22End of Topic Test - Enzymes & Nutririon2.3.23Exam-Style Questions - Enzymes & Digestion
3Organism Functions
3.1Respiration
3.2Gas Exchange
3.3Transport
3.3.1Surface Area to Volume Ratio3.3.2Exchange Surfaces3.3.3Examples of Exchange Surfaces3.3.4Root Hair Cells3.3.5Transpiration3.3.6Rate of Transpiration3.3.7Measuring Transpiration3.3.8Xylem3.3.9Translocation3.3.10Blood Components3.3.11Plasma3.3.12Red Blood Cell3.3.13Platelets3.3.14The Immune System3.3.15Antibodies3.3.16Vaccination3.3.17Types of Blood Vessel3.3.18Blood Vessels - Arteries3.3.19Blood Vessels - Veins3.3.20Blood Vessels - Capillaries3.3.21Function of the Heart3.3.22Structure of the Heart3.3.23Heart Rate3.3.24Heart Disease3.3.25Double Circulatory System3.3.26Important Blood Vessels3.3.27End of Topic - Transport3.3.28Exam-Style Questions - The Heart
3.4Excretion
3.5Coordination & Response
3.5.1Homeostasis3.5.2Regulating Internal Conditions3.5.3Coordinated Responses3.5.4Types of Tropisms3.5.5Auxin and Phototropism3.5.6Nervous System3.5.7Synapses3.5.8Reflex Actions3.5.9Reflex Arc3.5.10Sense Organs3.5.11The Eye3.5.12Eye - Focusing3.5.13Eye - Adapting to Light3.5.14Thermoregulation3.5.15Sweating and Shivering3.5.16Thermoregulation - Blood Vessels3.5.17Exam-Style Questions - Homeostasis3.5.18Endocrine Glands3.5.19Hormones3.5.20Nervous vs Endocrine3.5.21Adrenaline3.5.22Glucose3.5.23Puberty3.5.24Menstruation3.5.25Menstrual Cycle3.5.26Menstrual Hormones3.5.27Grade 9 - Hormonal Coordination3.5.28End of Topic Test - Coordination & Response
4Reproduction & Inheritance
4.1Reproduction
4.2Genetics
4.3Variation
4.3.1Alleles4.3.2Phenotype4.3.3Monohybrid Inheritance4.3.4Punnett Square4.3.5Sex Determination4.3.6Codominance4.3.7Cystic Fibrosis Punnett Square4.3.8Cystic Fibrosis Pedigree Diagram4.3.9Variation4.3.10Mutations4.3.11Natural Selection4.3.12Evolution4.3.13Resistant Bacteria4.3.14End of Topic Test - Variation4.3.15Grade 9 - Evolution4.3.16Exam-Style Questions - Cystic Fibrosis
5Ecology
5.1Ecosystems
5.1.1Ecosystems5.1.2Resources5.1.3Interdependence5.1.4Growth Factors5.1.5Assessing Ecosystems5.1.6Quadrats5.1.7Required Practical5.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Sampling5.1.9Energy Flow5.1.10Food Chains5.1.11Trophic Levels5.1.12Decomposers5.1.13Pyramids of Biomass5.1.14Transfer of Biomass5.1.15Reasons for Wastage5.1.16End of Topic Test - Food and Trophic Levels5.1.17Recycling Materials5.1.18Carbon Cycle5.1.19Exam-Style Questions - Carbon Cycle5.1.20Nitrogen Cycle5.1.21The Nitrogen Cycle and Microorganisms5.1.22End of Topic Test - Ecosystems5.1.23Grade 9 - Ecosystems
6Biological Resources
6.1Food Production
6.1.1Intensive Farming - Crop Yield6.1.2Intensive Farming - Ion Deficiency6.1.3Intensive Farming - Pest Control6.1.4Intensive Farming - Fish Farming6.1.5Microorganisms in Food6.1.6Factors Affecting Microorganism Growth6.1.7Industrial Fermentation6.1.8Selective Breeding6.1.9Selective Breeding Process6.1.10Uses of Selective Breeding6.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Selective Breeding
Jump to other topics
1The Nature & Variety of Living Organisms
1.1Characteristics of Living Organisms
2Structure & Functions in Living Organisms
2.1Organisation Structure
2.1.1Cells2.1.2Tissues2.1.3Organs2.1.4Organ Systems2.1.5Organisms2.1.6Animal cells2.1.7Plant cells2.1.8Cell Differentiation2.1.9Stem Cells2.1.10Uses of Stem Cells2.1.11Disadvantages of Stem Cells2.1.12End of Topic Test - Cell Types & Structures2.1.13Exam-Style Questions - Cells2.1.14Diffusion2.1.15Factors affecting Diffusion2.1.16Surface Area to Volume Ratio2.1.17Diffusion - Experiment2.1.18Osmosis2.1.19Required Practical - Osmosis2.1.20Active Transport2.1.21Transport in Cells2.1.22End of Topic Test - Cell Transport2.1.23Grade 9 - Cell Transport2.1.24Exam-Style Questions - Substance Exchange
2.2Biological Molecules
2.3Nutrition
2.3.1Photosynthesis2.3.2Photosynthesis Equation2.3.3Factors affecting Rate of Photosynthesis2.3.4Photosynthesis - Calculations2.3.5Investigating Photosynthesis2.3.6Testing Leaves for Starch2.3.7Grade 9 - Photosynthesis Experiment2.3.8Exam-Style Questions - Rate of Photosynthesis2.3.9Leaf Adaptations2.3.10Ion Deficiencies2.3.11Human Diet2.3.12Vitamins and Minerals2.3.13Dietary Needs2.3.14Human Digestive System2.3.15Peristalsis2.3.16Villi2.3.17Digestive Enzymes2.3.18Amylase2.3.19Protease2.3.20Lipase2.3.21Bile2.3.22End of Topic Test - Enzymes & Nutririon2.3.23Exam-Style Questions - Enzymes & Digestion
3Organism Functions
3.1Respiration
3.2Gas Exchange
3.3Transport
3.3.1Surface Area to Volume Ratio3.3.2Exchange Surfaces3.3.3Examples of Exchange Surfaces3.3.4Root Hair Cells3.3.5Transpiration3.3.6Rate of Transpiration3.3.7Measuring Transpiration3.3.8Xylem3.3.9Translocation3.3.10Blood Components3.3.11Plasma3.3.12Red Blood Cell3.3.13Platelets3.3.14The Immune System3.3.15Antibodies3.3.16Vaccination3.3.17Types of Blood Vessel3.3.18Blood Vessels - Arteries3.3.19Blood Vessels - Veins3.3.20Blood Vessels - Capillaries3.3.21Function of the Heart3.3.22Structure of the Heart3.3.23Heart Rate3.3.24Heart Disease3.3.25Double Circulatory System3.3.26Important Blood Vessels3.3.27End of Topic - Transport3.3.28Exam-Style Questions - The Heart
3.4Excretion
3.5Coordination & Response
3.5.1Homeostasis3.5.2Regulating Internal Conditions3.5.3Coordinated Responses3.5.4Types of Tropisms3.5.5Auxin and Phototropism3.5.6Nervous System3.5.7Synapses3.5.8Reflex Actions3.5.9Reflex Arc3.5.10Sense Organs3.5.11The Eye3.5.12Eye - Focusing3.5.13Eye - Adapting to Light3.5.14Thermoregulation3.5.15Sweating and Shivering3.5.16Thermoregulation - Blood Vessels3.5.17Exam-Style Questions - Homeostasis3.5.18Endocrine Glands3.5.19Hormones3.5.20Nervous vs Endocrine3.5.21Adrenaline3.5.22Glucose3.5.23Puberty3.5.24Menstruation3.5.25Menstrual Cycle3.5.26Menstrual Hormones3.5.27Grade 9 - Hormonal Coordination3.5.28End of Topic Test - Coordination & Response
4Reproduction & Inheritance
4.1Reproduction
4.2Genetics
4.3Variation
4.3.1Alleles4.3.2Phenotype4.3.3Monohybrid Inheritance4.3.4Punnett Square4.3.5Sex Determination4.3.6Codominance4.3.7Cystic Fibrosis Punnett Square4.3.8Cystic Fibrosis Pedigree Diagram4.3.9Variation4.3.10Mutations4.3.11Natural Selection4.3.12Evolution4.3.13Resistant Bacteria4.3.14End of Topic Test - Variation4.3.15Grade 9 - Evolution4.3.16Exam-Style Questions - Cystic Fibrosis
5Ecology
5.1Ecosystems
5.1.1Ecosystems5.1.2Resources5.1.3Interdependence5.1.4Growth Factors5.1.5Assessing Ecosystems5.1.6Quadrats5.1.7Required Practical5.1.8Exam-Style Questions - Sampling5.1.9Energy Flow5.1.10Food Chains5.1.11Trophic Levels5.1.12Decomposers5.1.13Pyramids of Biomass5.1.14Transfer of Biomass5.1.15Reasons for Wastage5.1.16End of Topic Test - Food and Trophic Levels5.1.17Recycling Materials5.1.18Carbon Cycle5.1.19Exam-Style Questions - Carbon Cycle5.1.20Nitrogen Cycle5.1.21The Nitrogen Cycle and Microorganisms5.1.22End of Topic Test - Ecosystems5.1.23Grade 9 - Ecosystems
6Biological Resources
6.1Food Production
6.1.1Intensive Farming - Crop Yield6.1.2Intensive Farming - Ion Deficiency6.1.3Intensive Farming - Pest Control6.1.4Intensive Farming - Fish Farming6.1.5Microorganisms in Food6.1.6Factors Affecting Microorganism Growth6.1.7Industrial Fermentation6.1.8Selective Breeding6.1.9Selective Breeding Process6.1.10Uses of Selective Breeding6.1.11Exam-Style Questions - Selective Breeding
Practice questions on Endocrine Glands
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1
- 2Types of endocrine glands:Fill in the list
- 3Why is the pituitary gland often called the "master gland"Multiple choice
- 4
- 5
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