~ Chapter 2, Pt. 2 ~
Endocrine System and Types of Brain Scans
Endocrine System
● Affects behavior by secreting hormones into the bloodstream
● Thyroid → butterfly shaped organ in the neck that produces thyroxine, controls alertness
○ Thyroxine → controls metabolism (converts food into energy source)
● Parathyroid → 4 tiny pea shaped organs in neck that produce parathormone
○ Parathormone → regulates calcium and phosphate in the blood; impacts
excitability of neurons
■ Too much: sluggish; too little: excitable
● Pineal gland → located near hypothalamus, produces melatonin (sleep/wake cycle
regulation)
● Adrenal glands → located near the kidneys; prepares body for perceived or real threat
● Pancreas → produces 2 regulating hormones: glucagon and insulin
○ Too much insulin: hypoglycemia
○ Too much blood sugar: diabetes, hyperglycemia
○ Type 1 diabetes: born with; Type 2: result of lifestyle
● Pituitary gland → attached to the hypothalamus; secretes 2 hormones
○ Vasopressin → regulates fluid inside and outside the cells, impacts memory
formation
○ Oxytocin → plays a role in childbirth to help with bonding process afterwards;
stimulates mammary glands
○ Anterior pituitary gland → secretes growth hormones
Source
Endocrine System and Types of Brain Scans
Endocrine System
● Affects behavior by secreting hormones into the bloodstream
● Thyroid → butterfly shaped organ in the neck that produces thyroxine, controls alertness
○ Thyroxine → controls metabolism (converts food into energy source)
● Parathyroid → 4 tiny pea shaped organs in neck that produce parathormone
○ Parathormone → regulates calcium and phosphate in the blood; impacts
excitability of neurons
■ Too much: sluggish; too little: excitable
● Pineal gland → located near hypothalamus, produces melatonin (sleep/wake cycle
regulation)
● Adrenal glands → located near the kidneys; prepares body for perceived or real threat
● Pancreas → produces 2 regulating hormones: glucagon and insulin
○ Too much insulin: hypoglycemia
○ Too much blood sugar: diabetes, hyperglycemia
○ Type 1 diabetes: born with; Type 2: result of lifestyle
● Pituitary gland → attached to the hypothalamus; secretes 2 hormones
○ Vasopressin → regulates fluid inside and outside the cells, impacts memory
formation
○ Oxytocin → plays a role in childbirth to help with bonding process afterwards;
stimulates mammary glands
○ Anterior pituitary gland → secretes growth hormones
Source
