Hormonal Communication
Endocrine System
Endocrine glands produce hormones (chemical messengers) that are
transported in the blood plasma to a target cell to bring about
a change by altering the activity of one or more target organs
or tissues.
The endocrine system is used to control functions that do not
require immediate responses because it brings about changes much
slower than the nervous system.
An endocrine gland is a group of cells that produces and secrets
a hormone directly into the blood plasma.
Hormones
Hormones in the bloodstream will encounter lots of different
cells but can only affect specific target cells because these
target cells have specific receptors on the cell surface
membrane that the hormone can bind to.
1
, There are 2 types of hormone:
First messengers Second messengers
Don’t enter the cell and Released inside the cell
instead bind to the surface after the first messenger
membrane. has been detected by the
cell.
Responsible for
transmitting the signal Responsible for bringing
from the endocrine gland. about a about response
inside the cell.
Adrenal Glands And Adrenaline
Humans have 2 adrenal glands situated above each kidney, adrenal
glands are an example of an endocrine gland.
Medula - produces
adrenaline.
Cortex - produces
steroid hormones such
as Aldosterone and
Cortisol.
Aldosterone regulates
levels of salt and the
water balance in the
blood thus regulating
blood pressure and
volume.
Cortisol is a stress
hormone that regulates
metabolism to release
energy.
Adrenaline prepares
the body to respond to
a flight or fight
situation.
Hormonal Communication 2
Endocrine System
Endocrine glands produce hormones (chemical messengers) that are
transported in the blood plasma to a target cell to bring about
a change by altering the activity of one or more target organs
or tissues.
The endocrine system is used to control functions that do not
require immediate responses because it brings about changes much
slower than the nervous system.
An endocrine gland is a group of cells that produces and secrets
a hormone directly into the blood plasma.
Hormones
Hormones in the bloodstream will encounter lots of different
cells but can only affect specific target cells because these
target cells have specific receptors on the cell surface
membrane that the hormone can bind to.
1
, There are 2 types of hormone:
First messengers Second messengers
Don’t enter the cell and Released inside the cell
instead bind to the surface after the first messenger
membrane. has been detected by the
cell.
Responsible for
transmitting the signal Responsible for bringing
from the endocrine gland. about a about response
inside the cell.
Adrenal Glands And Adrenaline
Humans have 2 adrenal glands situated above each kidney, adrenal
glands are an example of an endocrine gland.
Medula - produces
adrenaline.
Cortex - produces
steroid hormones such
as Aldosterone and
Cortisol.
Aldosterone regulates
levels of salt and the
water balance in the
blood thus regulating
blood pressure and
volume.
Cortisol is a stress
hormone that regulates
metabolism to release
energy.
Adrenaline prepares
the body to respond to
a flight or fight
situation.
Hormonal Communication 2
