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Human Physiology – ENDOCRINE SYSTEM (chap 18)
18.1- Overview of the Endocrine System
• The Endocrine system (ES) and the nervous system are the body’s two
important control systems. The ES is composed of glands and cells that
secrete the chemical signals called “hormones” into the blood plasma.
• The hormones are secreted in response to humoral, neural or hormonal
stimuli. After this they travel in the blood plasma to target cells, where
they regulate homeostasis.
• Many disorders of the body are caused by either hypersecretion or
hyposecretion of hormones.
• The main regulatory functions of the endocrine system are as follows:
1. Regulation of metabolism- The endocrine system controls the rate of
nutrient utilisation and energy production
2. Control of food intake and digestion- The endocrine system regulates
the level of satiation and the breakdown of food into individual nutrients
3. Modulation of tissue development- The endocrine system influences the
development of tissues such as those of the nervous system
4. Regulation of ion levels- The endocrine system helps monitor blood pH
as well as Na+, K+ and Ca 2+ concentration in the blood
5. Control of water balance- The endocrine system regulates water balance
by controlling the solute concentration of the blood.
6. Control of blood glucose and other nutrients- The endocrine system
regulates the levels of glucose and other nutrients in the blood
7. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure- The endocrine system helps
regulate the heart rate and BP, and prepare the body for physical activity
8. Control of reproductive functions- The endocrine system controls the
development and functions of the reproductive systems in males and
females
9. Stimulation of uterine contractions and milk release- The endocrine
system regulates uterine contractions during delivery and stimulates milk
release from the breast in lactating females
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Human Physiology – ENDOCRINE SYSTEM (chap 18)
18.1- Overview of the Endocrine System
• The Endocrine system (ES) and the nervous system are the body’s two
important control systems. The ES is composed of glands and cells that
secrete the chemical signals called “hormones” into the blood plasma.
• The hormones are secreted in response to humoral, neural or hormonal
stimuli. After this they travel in the blood plasma to target cells, where
they regulate homeostasis.
• Many disorders of the body are caused by either hypersecretion or
hyposecretion of hormones.
• The main regulatory functions of the endocrine system are as follows:
1. Regulation of metabolism- The endocrine system controls the rate of
nutrient utilisation and energy production
2. Control of food intake and digestion- The endocrine system regulates
the level of satiation and the breakdown of food into individual nutrients
3. Modulation of tissue development- The endocrine system influences the
development of tissues such as those of the nervous system
4. Regulation of ion levels- The endocrine system helps monitor blood pH
as well as Na+, K+ and Ca 2+ concentration in the blood
5. Control of water balance- The endocrine system regulates water balance
by controlling the solute concentration of the blood.
6. Control of blood glucose and other nutrients- The endocrine system
regulates the levels of glucose and other nutrients in the blood
7. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure- The endocrine system helps
regulate the heart rate and BP, and prepare the body for physical activity
8. Control of reproductive functions- The endocrine system controls the
development and functions of the reproductive systems in males and
females
9. Stimulation of uterine contractions and milk release- The endocrine
system regulates uterine contractions during delivery and stimulates milk
release from the breast in lactating females
Find more resources on this topic on
