Endocrine System

The endocrine system is made up of 6 major glands which produce hormones that are necessary to regulate and/or control specific cells within the various organs. Endocrine glands secrete greater than 20 different hormones. The endocrine system includes the following glands:

Adrenal Glands
Pituitary Gland and Hypothalamus
Parathyroid Glands
Endocrine Pancreas
Pineal Gland
Thyroid Gland

The endocrine glands release/secrete directly into the blood stream. The hormone then continually travels until it finds specific cells. Each hormone has a specific shape and its receptor has the same shape so that the hormone can be indentified when they come in contact. Some hormones work after it binds its receptor, some work directly. Most of the hormonal balance works in a feedback process. Hormones are classified by their structure and chemical makeup, and by the effect they invoke. Hormone classes are known as amino acid derivatives, peptides, and steroid hormones.

Amino acid derivatives include all of the hormones which are derived from amino acids, including

Thyroxine (Thyroid hormone)
Epinephrine

Peptide hormones are diverse and they are the largest class

Growth hormone
Follicle stimulating hormone
Anti diuretic hormone

Steroid hormones are lipids which are made up of cholesterol

Testosterone
Estrogen
Progesterone

Specific hormone disorders include:

Polycystic ovarian syndrome
Grave’s disease
Cretinism
Cushing’s Syndrome
Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism

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