Glands
Often called the "Master Gland," this pea-sized structure at the base of the brain controls many other endocrine glands.
What is the Pituitary Gland?
This hormone is released by the pancreas to lower blood glucose levels after a meal.
What is Insulin?
Most hormone levels are regulated by this type of feedback, where the output of a system inhibits the further release of a hormone.
What is Negative Feedback?
Also known as Vasopressin, this hormone prevents dehydration by telling the kidneys to reabsorb water.
What is ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone)?
Hormones travel through this system to reach their target cells throughout the body.
What is the Circulatory System (or Bloodstream)?
This butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck regulates your overall metabolic rate
What is the Thyroid Gland?
Known as the "stress hormone," it is released by the adrenal cortex to help the body manage long-term stress.
What is Cortisol?
When blood sugar is too low, the pancreas releases this hormone to trigger the liver to release stored glucose.
What is Glucagon?
Alcohol inhibits the release of this hormone, which is why drinking leads to increased urination and dehydration
What is ADH?
Because these hormones are lipid-soluble, they can pass directly through the cell membrane to reach receptors inside the nucleus.
What are Steroid Hormones?
These sit like "hats" on top of the kidneys and are responsible for the fight-or-flight response.
What are the Adrenal Glands?
This hormone stimulates the "milk let-down" reflex and uterine contractions during childbirth.
What is Oxytocin?
This brain structure acts as the bridge between the nervous system and the endocrine system, signaling the pituitary gland.
What is the Hypothalamus?
This adrenal hormone regulates sodium and potassium levels, directly affecting blood pressure.
What is Aldosterone?
These types of hormones (like Insulin) cannot enter the cell and must bind to receptors on the cell surface.
What are Amino Acid-based (or Protein/Peptide) Hormones?
This gland is unique because it functions as both an endocrine gland (secreting hormones) and an exocrine gland (secreting digestive enzymes)
What is the Pancreas?
Secreted by the parathyroid glands, this hormone increases blood calcium levels by breaking down bone matrix.
What is Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)?
This specific hormone from the anterior pituitary tells the thyroid gland to start producing T3 and T4
What is TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)?
This element is essential for the thyroid to produce its hormones; a deficiency can lead to a goiter.
What is Iodine?
This term describes cells that have the specific receptors required to respond to a particular hormone.
What are Target Cells?
Located in the brain, this gland secretes melatonin to regulate sleep-wake cycles.
What is the Pineal Gland?
This hormone, produced by the kidneys, stimulates the production of red blood cells in bone marrow.
What is Erythropoietin (EPO)?
This condition occurs when the body produces too much Growth Hormone after the growth plates have fused in adulthood.
What is Acromegaly?
Produced by the heart, this hormone (ANP) actually lowers blood pressure by encouraging the kidneys to excrete sodium.
What is Atrial Natriuretic Peptide?
This molecule often acts as a "second messenger" inside the cell after a protein hormone binds to the membrane.
What is cAMP (Cyclic AMP)?