OCR A Level Biology

Revision Notes

5.4.1 The Endocrine System

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The Endocrine System

  • Homeostatic mechanisms help organisms to keep their internal body conditions near constant
  • Three key homeostatic mechanisms are:
    • Thermoregulation – the control of body temperature
    • Osmoregulation – the control of the water potential of body fluids
    • The control of blood glucose concentration

  • These homeostatic mechanisms in mammals require information to be transferred between different parts of the body
  • One of the coordination systems in mammals that does this is the endocrine system

The endocrine system

  • A hormone is a chemical messenger produced by an endocrine gland and carried by the blood
    • They are chemicals which transmit information from one part of the organism to another and bring about a change
    • They alter the activity of one or more specific target organs

  • Hormones are used to control functions that do not need instant responses
  • The endocrine glands that produce hormones in animals are known collectively as the endocrine system
    • A gland is a group of cells that produces and releases one or more substances (a process known as secretion)

The major endocrine glands in the body, IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes

The major endocrine glands in the body

  • Endocrine glands have a good blood supply as when they make hormones they secrete them directly into the bloodstream (specifically the blood plasma)
  • The hormones are then transported around the body via the blood to target cells/tissues to bring about a response
  • Hormones come into contact with a lot of different cells in the body but they only affect cells with receptors that the hormone can bind to
    • These are either found on the cell surface membrane
    • Receptors have to be complementary to hormones for there to be an effect

How hormones work, IGCSE & GCSE Biology revision notes

Hormones are synthesized and released into the bloodstream from a gland (such as the pituitary gland) and circulate in the bloodstream where target cells and tissues detect them

Hormones: first and second messengers

  • First and second messengers are used to carry out the action of a hormone
  • The first messenger is the hormone that brings the "information or signal" from the endocrine gland
    • Hormones don't actually enter the cell, they bind to a receptor on the cell surface membrane

  • A second messenger inside the cell causes the effect
  • The mode of action for the "fight-or-flight" hormone adrenaline can be seen below

Effect of adrenaline, downloadable AS & A Level Biology revision notes

The hormone adrenaline (first messenger) does not enter the cell, it is the second messenger (cyclic AMP) which causes an effect in the cell by causing a cascade of reactions

  • There are several key differences between the two coordination systems in mammals

Features of the nervous system & the endocrine system table

Comparing the features of the nervous & endocrine system table, downloadable AS & A Level Biology revision notes

Adrenal Glands

  • Situated above each kidney is a gland known as the adrenal gland
    • Adrenal glands are an example of endocrine glands

  • Both adrenal glands have the same structure and function, consisting of two main areas: a central medulla and an outer cortex
    • The cortex produces steroid hormones: Aldosterone, which regulates levels of salts (sodium and potassium) and water balance in the blood, this has an impact on blood volume and pressure. Cortisol is the primary stress hormone which regulates metabolism of glucose, proteins and fats to release usable energy.
    • The medulla produces adrenaline, a hormone produced at times of stress or excitement that affects many body organs, preparing the body to respond to emergency situations (sometimes referred to as the "fight or flight" response)

Adrenal gland structure, downloadable AS & A Level Biology revision notes

The location and structure of the adrenal glands

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Lára

Author: Lára

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.