The health and well-being of the endocrine system is essential for maintaining healthy weight, growth and physical development. The human endocrine system, the structure and functions of our body affect the work of every cell, organ, and the coordinated work of the whole body. The regulation of mood, growth and development, tissue function, metabolism, sexual function and reproductive processes depends on it.
In general, the endocrine system is responsible for body processes that occur slowly, such as cell growth. Faster processes like breathing and body movement are controlled by the nervous system. But even though the nervous system and the endocrine system are separate mechanisms, they often work together to help the body function properly.
The basis of endocrine function are hormones and glands. They, like chemical messengers of an organism, transmit information and instructions from one set of cells to another. Many different hormones travel through the bloodstream, but each type of hormone is designed to affect only certain cells.
How it works?
In the lower central part of the brain is the hypothalamus. Using the hypothalamus, the rest of the endocrine system remains in contact with the nervous system, producing chemicals that activate or inhibit the pituitary gland. Due to this, the hypothalamus sends a message from the nervous system and informs the body that it needs to perform a certain action.
Just below the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland is considered the most valuable part of the function of the endocrine system. This gland controls many other glands. Emotions, season changes, and many other signals can affect the amount of hormones produced by the pituitary gland. Light, emotions perceived by the brain, captures the hypothalamus and sends a signal to the pituitary gland, which consists of the anterior and posterior lobes. The anterior lobe controls the action of the adrenal glands, thyroid and gonads. It produces endorphins, growth hormones, prolactin and corticotropin.
The benefits of some hormones
Endorphins reduce the feeling of pain, control the menstrual cycle and signal the use of reproductive organs. Growth hormones determine how the nutrients that enter the body will be used and stimulate bone growth. Thyrotropin cooperates with the thyroid gland. Prolactin activates the production of milk in the female breast. Corticotropin stimulates the adrenal glands.
The posterior lobes secrete antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin, which helps the woman’s uterus to contract, at birth.
Antidiuretic hormone controls the level of water in the human body.
What hormones are there?
The endocrine system supports the organs and functions of our body with the help of hormones. Hormones are chemicals that help transmit information throughout the body, usually from one organ group to another, so that the body has all the information necessary to control its smooth operation. There are up to 20 major hormones that are produced by the glands necessary to perform various tasks throughout the body.
Hormones control the functions of whole organs, affect how the body uses and stores energy and controls the volume of fluid and the level of salts and sugar (glucose) in the blood.
Although hormones circulate throughout the body, each type of hormone only affects certain organs and tissues. Some hormones affect only one or two organs, while others have an effect throughout the body. For example, thyroid-stimulating hormone produced in the pituitary gland only affects the thyroid gland. In contrast, the thyroid hormone produced in the thyroid gland acts on cells throughout the body and is involved in important functions such as regulating cell growth, controlling heart rate, and also affecting the speed at which calories are burned. Insulin, which is produced in the islet cells of the pancreas, affects the processing (metabolism) of glucose, protein and fat throughout the body.
Most hormones are proteins. Other steroids are fatty substances derived from cholesterol.
Upon reaching the target site, the hormone binds to the receptor, just as the key fits into the lock. Hormonal receptors can be in the nucleus or on the surface of the cell.
The functions of individual organs produced by hormones
Adrenal glands The adrenal glands are located on the tops of the kidneys. They consist of two parts, the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. The adrenal glands produce corticosteroids that help balance the level of water and salt in the body. They can be modified based on sexual development, metabolic function, or signals from the immune system. The adrenal gland substance produces catecholamines, which are used to regulate heart rate and blood pressure as a result of stress.
The thyroid gland The thyroid gland is located in the front, lower part of the neck, it is often compared with a butterfly given its unique shape. This gland produces hormones that stimulate metabolism and controls how quickly the body breaks down food to use this fuel to create energy. The more this chemical in the blood, the faster your metabolism will function. If the thyroid gland becomes inactive, it can lead to weight gain and indigestion. Also, this gland controls the brain and nervous system at the stage of development of children.
What are glands? What is their role
Iron is a group of cells that produces and releases chemicals. The glands select and remove materials from the blood, process them, and produce a finished chemical product for use.
The main function of the endocrine glands is to produce hormones directly in the blood. Hormones are chemicals that affect the activity and control of all organs.
Parathyroid glands
There are four parathyroid glands that are grouped together near the thyroid gland. They create a parathyroid hormone that interacts with calcitonin to control the level of calcium in the bones and blood.
The pineal gland is located in the center of the brain. It creates hormones called melatonin, which are used to have a good night’s sleep, and to wake up in the morning as a result of light.
The gonads. In women, the gonads are made up of ovaries that are located in the pelvic area. They are used to produce estrogen and progesterone, which controls breast growth, regulates the menstrual cycle, and to monitor pregnancy.
In men, the genitals are the testes, which are located in the scrotum. They produce androgens, such as testosterone, w