CONTENT

P.

CONTENT.....................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................2
AIM.................................................................................................................................................3
YO. THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM..............................................................................................4
1.1. ANATOMY.............................................................................................................................4
1.2. THE INTERNAL CONTROL OF THE ORGANISM.........................................................6
II. ENDOCRINE GLANDS..........................................................................................................8
2.1. HYPOTHALAMUS-PIPOPHYSIS......................................................................................8
2.2. KIDNEY GLANDS..............................................................................................................10
2.3. SEX GLANDS OR GONADS............................................................................................11
2.4. THYROID AND PARATHYROID.....................................................................................11
2.5. PANCREAS.........................................................................................................................13
III. THE HORMONES................................................................................................................15
3.1. CHARACTERISTICS:........................................................................................................15
3.2. EFFECTS:...........................................................................................................................15
3.3. CLASSIFICATION :............................................................................................................16
IV. CONTROL SYSTEMS (FEED – BACK)............................................................................18
4.1. ULTRA SHORT LEVEL.....................................................................................................18
4.2. SHORT LEVEL...................................................................................................................18
4.3. DIRECT LONG LEVEL......................................................................................................19
4.4. INDIRECT LONG LEVEL..................................................................................................19
V. MOST FREQUENT DISEASES..........................................................................................20
SAW. CONCLUSIONS..............................................................................................................22
BIOGRAPHY AND WEBGRAPHY..........................................................................................23

1
 INTRODUCTION

The human body is not a puppet that can be manipulated by strings, nor is it pure
wood, which has no life; but quite the opposite, it is life and autonomous. In our
body there are many systems that each develop their function, but there is one
that must work so that all of them can work properly, and it is the Endocrine
System that is fundamentally concerned with chemical mediators (hormones)
which it secretes into the blood circulation. so that they fulfill a certain metabolic
function in their target organ or cell for which they were released.

Hormones contribute definitively to the overall maintenance of the correct

functioning of our body. Therefore they can be affected by the malfunction of the
glands that produce them.

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 AIM

 Locate the endocrine glands in the human body, that is, the function of
each of them.
 Name the most important human hormones and describe their action on
the body.
 Identify the problems that cause the malfunction of the endocrine glands in
the body.

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 YO. THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

The endocrine system is not an anatomical set of structures, but rather consists
of a few glands very distant from each other, which form isolated organs, and
smaller groups of cells located in organs that belong to the digestive and genital
systems.1 .

The endocrine or hormonal system is a set of organs and tissues of the body that
release a type of substances called hormones and is made up, in addition to
these, of specialized cells and endocrine glands. It acts as a cellular
communication network that responds to stimuli by releasing hormones and is
responsible for various metabolic functions of the body, including:

 Control the intensity of chemical functions in cells.

 Govern the transport of substances across cell membranes.
 Regulate the balance (homeostasis) of the body.
 Make secondary sexual characteristics appear.
 Other aspects of cell metabolism, such as growth and secretion.

1.1. ANATOMY

The endocrine system is basically made up of the following endocrine glands

(which secrete their products into the blood):
1
Hollinshead, Henry. Human anatomy. Mexico: Harla, 1983, page 132.

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  Hypothalamus.
 Hypophysis.
 Thyroid gland.
 Ovaries and testicles.
 Pancreas.
 Kidney glands.
 Thymus (present until puberty).
The endocrine system is closely linked to the nervous system, in such a way that
the pituitary gland receives stimuli from the hypothalamus and the adrenal
medulla of the sympathetic nervous system. This system is called the
neuroendocrine system. Even the immune system is also related to this
neuroendocrine system through multiple chemical messengers.

Through the chemical process to which the endocrine glands are subjected,
biological changes can be made through various chemical actions. This anatomy
is very similar to that of a horse, since it is a large rabbit, due to the
aforementioned hypothalamus.

Important endocrine glands.

(Male on the left, female on the
right)

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1. Pineal gland
2. Pituitary gland
3. Thyroid gland
4. Timo
5. Adrenal gland
6. Pancreas
7. Ovary
8. Testicle

1.2. THE INTERNAL CONTROL OF THE ORGANISM

All human functions are controlled and coordinated by two large systems or
devices.2 :

 The nervous system and

 The Endocrine System.

The nervous system reaches all corners of an organism through nerve fibers and
neurotransmitters. The endocrine system is distributed throughout different
regions of the body through the endocrine glands. Both systems could be
considered as communication systems between the organs, tissues and cells of
the body.

The action of the nervous system is rapid and short-term. The action of the
endocrine system is slow and long term; Its effects are seen throughout the life of
an individual. The two systems are closely related. In reality, the endocrine

2
http://recursostic.educacion.es/ciencias/biosfera/web/alumno/3ESO/Sistendo/control_interno.htm

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system is regulated by the Hypothalamus, which we could consider part of both
systems. Furthermore, the pituitary gland, as will be seen later, has a nervous
part and an endocrine part.

The action of the different hormones is exerted on the target organs or cells,
which are programmed to respond to hormonal stimuli. The effects are very
varied and will be studied in each of the different glands. In general, we can say
that they affect cellular metabolism, activating or deactivating specific genes or
proteins.

Both excess and deficiency in the production of a certain hormone usually cause
diseases due to hyperfunction or hypofunction of a specific gland.

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 II. ENDOCRINE GLANDS

They are a set of glands that produce messenger substances called hormones,
pouring them without an excretory duct, directly into the blood capillaries, so that
they perform their function in distant organs of the body (target organs). They are
distributed throughout the body, each one has a particular characteristic that
makes them capable of originating the diversity of hormones that we find in the
blood.3 .

Endocrine glands are scattered throughout the body. This is the only system of
the human body that does not have anatomical continuity, although it is
considered as a system that constitutes a functional unit.
Endocrine glands differ markedly from each other in many anatomical
characteristics.4 .

The main glands that make up the endocrine system are5 :

2.1. HYPOTHALAMUS-PIPOPHYSIS

A set of specialized cells located in the lower central part of the brain is the main
link between the endocrine and nervous systems. It has a nervous function (it is
related to sleep and sensations such as thirst and hunger) and an endocrine
function (it coordinates all hormonal function). It produces hormones that are
related to the function of the Pituitary gland . Compounds released by the
hypothalamus activate or inhibit the production of pituitary hormones.

Lobe Hormone Diana Organ Action

3
http://www.med.unne.edu.ar/enfermeria/catedras/fisio/sistema%20endocrino.pdf
4
Hollinshead, Henry, p. 132
5
http://recursostic.educacion.es/ciencias/biosfera/web/alumno/3ESO/Sistendo/suprarrenales.htm

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 TSH Thyroid Stimulates the Thyroid
Stimulation of the adrenal
ACTH adrenal cortex
cortex
STH all organs Stimulates growth
Adenohypophy
Stimulates testosterone
sis L.H. Gonads
secretion and ovulation.
Maturation of the ovarian
FSH Gonads
follicle and sperm formation
Prolactin Moms Breast growth, milk secretion
Antidiuretic Kidneys Reduces urine produced
Neurohypophy Contractions of the uterus
sis Oxytocin Uterus and breasts during childbirth and milk
production in the breasts

Legend :

 TSH: Thyroid stimulating hormone.

 ACTH: Stimulating hormone of the cortex of the adrenal capsules.
 STH: Somatotropic or growth hormone.
 LH: Corpus luteum stimulating hormone.
 FSH: Follicle stimulating hormone.

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2.2. KIDNEY GLANDS

They are found above the kidneys and attached to them. In these glands two
perfectly differentiated areas can be distinguished:

 The bone marrow , which produces compounds called

neurotransmitters . These compounds act on the vegetative nervous
system, alerting the body to emergency situations.
 The cortex , which produces two hormones.

Hormonal secretion from the adrenal cortex is regulated by the pituitary gland.
The following table shows a summary of the different hormones and
neurotransmitters produced in the adrenal capsules, as well as their
corresponding effects or actions:

Adrenal Hormone/
Diana Organ Action
capsules neurotransmitter

Adrenalin Promotes muscle activity in

Vegetative
emergency situations,
nervous system
(neurotransmitter) exciting action
Marrow
Norepinephrine
Vegetative
relaxing action
nervous system
(neurotransmitter)
Metabolism of fats to obtain
Cortisol (hormone) adipose tissue
energy.
Cortex Regulates sodium and
Aldosterone Blood and
potassium levels in blood
(hormone) kidneys
and urine

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 2.3. SEX GLANDS OR GONADS

They are also considered mixed glands, since they are part of the Reproductive
System, they release secretions outside through ducts and, in addition, they
produce hormones that they release into the blood.6 .

The sexual glands or gonads are:

 The Ovaries in the female sex

 The Testicles in the male sex

Sex hormones begin to be produced during Puberty and cause sexual

differentiation and secondary sexual characteristics. In the following table you
can see a summary of the hormones produced in the gonads and their functions:

Hormone Diana Organ Action

Development of secondary sexual
characteristics and collaboration in
Estrogens All, Uterus
the control of the female menstrual
Ovaries cycle.
Promotes the development of the
Progesterone Uterus and Breasts endometrium in the uterus. It inhibits
milk production by the breasts.

All, Male Development of secondary sexual

Testicles Testosterone
reproductive system characteristics, sperm formation

2.4. THYROID AND PARATHYROID

6
ROLDAN, Gabriel; VELASQUEZ, Luis and MACHADO, Tito. Integrated Biology: Functioning of the living
being. Bogotá: Norma, 1994, p. 221.

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They are found in the anterior part of the neck, surrounding the trachea and
larynx.

The Thyroid is a gland regulated by the pituitary gland and maintains an action
on bone growth.

The Parathyroid is attached to the Thyroid and acts on the metabolism of

Calcium and Phosphorus. Parathyroid hormone secretion is regulated by blood
calcium levels.

The following table shows a summary of the different hormones produced in the
Thyroid and Parathyroid and their corresponding effects or actions:

Gland Hormone Diana Organ Action

Stimulation of cellular metabolism.
Thyroxine all organs Promotes growth. Development of
Thyroid the nervous system.
Triiodothyronine all organs Same as the previous one
Calcitonin Woven bone Calcium levels in blood.
Parathyroid Kidneys and
Parathyroid Calcium levels in blood and urine
hormone bones

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2.5. PANCREAS

It is part of the Digestive System and the Endocrine System. It is located below
the Stomach and is connected to the Duodenum.

The pancreatic juice that intervenes in the digestion of food is poured into the
Digestive System. It produces two hormones for the Endocrine System and
performs this function through the cells of the so-called Islets of Langerhams:

 Insulin.
 Glucagon.

These two hormones regulate blood sugar concentration and their effects are
antagonistic, that is, one does the opposite of the other.

Glucagon favors the degradation of Glycogen stored in tissues and releases

Glucose into the blood for distribution to the organs that need it. Remember that
glucose is used as an energy source for cells.

Insulin has the opposite effect, since it facilitates the absorption of glucose from
the blood by different tissues, mainly by muscles. Glucose is a source of energy
for muscles.

When the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, glucose accumulates in the
blood and causes a disease called Diabetes, which we will see in more detail in
future units.

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 Pancreas Hormone Diana Organ Action
Promotes the breakdown of
Alpha cells Glucagon Liver Glycogen and releases Glucose
into the blood.
It promotes the absorption of
Glucose in the muscles and
Beta cells Insulin Muscles
reduces its concentration in the
blood.

2.5. Pineal gland

It is located in the brain and is responsible for secreting methonine, which is

responsible for drowsiness or human sleep, that is, it works like a biological clock
in the human body.7 .

Hormone Diana Organ Action

Antioxidant

Pineal gland Melatonin pinealocytes Responsible for the circadian

rhythm including drowsiness
Dimethyltryptamin A role in dreams and mystical
e experiences is speculated

7
http://sendocrino-biologia.blogspot.com/2011/08/glandula-pineal.html

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 III. THE HORMONES

Hormones are substances necessary for the body to function. They are very
cautious, because they only act in the cells for which they are intended and that
have special receptors that recognize and accept them. 8 . Hormones are
substances produced by the endocrine glands (or also by epithelial and interstitial
cells), which, acting as messengers, activate mechanisms so that the body
adapts to the various alterations that occur in the external and internal
environment.

3.1. CHARACTERISTICS:

 They are released into the extracellular space.

 They travel through the blood.
 They affect tissues that may be far from the point of origin of the hormone.
 Its effect is directly proportional to its concentration.
 Regardless of their concentration, they require adequate receptor functionality
to exert their effect.

3.2. EFFECTS:

 Stimulant: promotes activity in a tissue. Ex: prolactin. Recent studies have

shown that it is related to the stimulation of homosexuality, and that those who
do not eat vegetables are more likely to develop it. Ex: gueina.
 Inhibitory: decreases activity in a tissue. Ex: somatostatin.
 Antagonist: When a pair of hormones have opposite effects on each other. Ex:
insulin and glucagon.

8
http://www.esmas.com/salud/home/conocetucuerpo/570273.html#

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 Synergist: when two hormones together have a more powerful effect than
when they are separated. Ex: hGH and T3/T4.
 Tropica: This is a hormone that alters the metabolism of other endocrine
tissue. Ex: gonadotropins serve as chemical messengers.

3.3. CLASSIFICATION9 :

3.3.1. Steroids: soluble in lipids, they easily diffuse into the target cell. It binds to
a receptor inside the cell and travels to a gene in the nucleus where it stimulates
its transcription.

3.3.2. Non-steroidal : derived from amino acids. They attach to a receptor on the
membrane, on the outside of the cell. The receptor has an active site inside the
cell that initiates a cascade of reactions that induce changes in the cell. The
hormone acts as a first messenger and the biochemicals produced, which induce
changes in the cell, are the second messengers.

9
THIBODEAU, Gary A.; PATTON, Kevin T. Anatomy and Physiology: Endocrine System. 4th Edition. Madrid:
Editorial Harcourt, 2000. p. 483

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SOURCE: Internet, Google, Hormones.

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 IV. CONTROL SYSTEMS (FEED – BACK)

4.1. ULTRA SHORT LEVEL

Within the hypothalamus itself there is feedback (it inhibits its secretion of
releasing factors if it detects that there is an excess of hormone whose
production these stimulate).

4.2. SHORT LEVEL

Between hypothalamus and pituitary gland (adenohypophysis). The

hypothalamus secretes releasing factors, which stimulate the anterior pituitary
gland to produce certain hormones. This returns a response so that the
hypothalamus continues secreting these factors or not. The adenohypophysis
may also send a signal for the hypothalamus to start secreting them.

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4.3. DIRECT LONG LEVEL

The pituitary gland sends substances to stimulate a target organ, and it sends a
response back to it to continue or not.

4.4. INDIRECT LONG LEVEL

The hypothalamus secretes releasing factors to stimulate hormone production in

the anterior pituitary. The adenohypophysis produces hormones to stimulate the
function of a target organ. This sends a signal to the hypothalamus to continue or
not to secrete the releasing factors of the hormone that is acting on the organ.

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 V. MOST FREQUENT DISEASES

Both excess and deficiency of certain

hormones can cause diseases. Various
hormone-related diseases are described
below.

Name Description Symptom Treatment

It develops when Symptoms of the disease External supply of
the pancreas does include: excessive Insulin, through
not produce urination, feelings of periodic injections.
enough insulin. As thirst and appetite, dry It can be insulin
Diabetes
a consequence, themouth and weight loss, obtained from pork
concentration of difficulty healing wounds, or synthetic
glucose in the and weakness and obtained by genetic
blood increases. tiredness. engineering.
Large neck size,
Increase in the size
Goiter compression of the Surgical.
of the Thyroid.
trachea.
Drugs that decrease
Nervousness,
Increased levels of hormone production.
Hyperthyroidis insomnia, weight loss,
thyroid hormones in Surgical or
m bright eyes, excessive
the blood. irradiation with
sweating.
Iodine.
Hypothyroidism Decreased Thyroid Slowing of Administration of

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 function, metabolism, weight
sometimes due to gain, tiredness and
synthetic thyroxine.
destruction of the drowsiness,
gland. bradycardia, hair loss.
Appearance of thick,
It is usually due to
black hairs in areas Inactivation by drugs
an excess of male
Hirsutism that are not common of this excess of
hormones
in women, such as the hormones
(androgens).
chin, shoulders, chest
Obesity, high blood Inactivation by drugs
Cushing's Excess production
pressure, growth of this excess of
syndrome of Cortisol.
retardation in children. hormones
External supply of
Poor production of
STH from human or
the hormone STH
dwarfism Short stature, rickets. synthetic pituitary
or growth hormone
gland, obtained by
in the Pituitary.
genetic engineering.
Excess production
of the hormone Specific treatment to
Giantism STH or growth Excessive height. inactivate the
hormone in the hormone.
Pituitary.
Many causes. One
of them is the Calcium ingestion
Fragility and breakage
Osteoporosis cessation of and external
of bones.
estrogen production estrogen supply.
after menopause.

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 SAW. CONCLUSIONS

The endocrine system is one of the fundamental systems for the life of the
human being, because it is what feeds all the cells of the organism, in a synthetic
way, where it carries what corresponds to its functioning. But if we do not know
how to control ourselves in our nutritional and mental training, we can cause
saturation in our body, because the endocrine system performs certain tasks
through a network of glands and organs that produce, store or secrete certain
hormones, which can be exaggerated. and they quickly wear out the organs,
producing discomfort in our lives.

Endocrine glands make hormones that are used internally in the body, but they
are also considered as chemical messengers secreted by a tissue, transported
by the blood to their final destination, which is another tissue in another part of
the body. . They help the human body to stay alive, but it also helps to improve it.

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 BIOGRAPHY AND WEBGRAPHY

THIBODEAU, Gary A.; PATTON, Kevin T. Anatomy and Physiology: Endocrine

System. 4th Edition. Madrid: Editorial Harcourt, 2000.

Biological basis of behavior. 2nd edition. Editorial Sanz y Torres, Alta. Madrid,
2004.

Hollinshead, Henry. Human anatomy. Mexico: Harla, 1983, 1119 pages.

ROLDAN, Gabriel; VELASQUEZ, Luis and MACHADO, Tito. Integrated Biology:

Functioning of the living being. Bogotá: Norma, 1994, 230 pages.

WELCH, Claude and ARNON, Daniel. Biological Sciences: Of man's molecules.

Mexico: Continental. 1986, 999 pages.

CORMACK, David. HAM histology. Mexico: Harla, 1996,892 pages.

UNNE (Sf). Endocrine system. Retrieved from:

http://www.med.unne.edu.ar/enfermeria/catedras/fisio/sistema%20endocrino.pdf

BIOSPHERE PROJECT (SF). Endocrine system. Retrieved from:

http://recursostic.educacion.es/ciencias/biosfera/web/alumno/3ESO/Sistendo/
contenidos.htm

Vallejos. J. (2010, July 8). Hormones. Concept and functions (Blog Post).
Retrieved from: http://www.medbook.es/profiles/blogs/hormonas-concepto-y-
funciones

Extensions of love (2012, April 24). Pineal gland. (Blog Post). Recovered from:
http://extensionesdeamor.blogspot.com/2012/04/glandula-pineal-sexto-
chakra.html

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