Home

Biology

Organism level systems

The human endocrine system

The human endocrine system

Videos

Summary

Exercises

Select Lesson

Exam Board

Select an option

Biology practicals

Investigating specimens using microscopes

Investigating osmosis in potatoes

Investigating the effect of pH on amylase activity

Investigating molecules in food using food tests

Investigating limiting factors of photosynthesis

Investigating human reaction times

Using field-work techniques

Ecology

Ecosystems, competition and environmental changes

Adaptations and extremophiles

Food chains and predator-prey graphs

The water cycle

The carbon cycle

Human impacts on biodiversity

Global warming and its consequences

Conservation and maintaining biodiversity

Inheritance, variation and evolution

DNA: structure, genes and chromosomes

Meiosis, sexual and asexual reproduction

Inheritance and genetic diagrams

Inherited disorders

Types and sources of variation

Evolution by natural selection

Antibiotic resistance: causes and prevention

Selective breeding

Uses and evaluation of genetic engineering

The process of genetic engineering - Higher

Classifying living organisms

Homeostasis and response

Homeostasis and blood glucose

The nervous system and the reflex arc

The human endocrine system

Hormones: adrenaline and thyroxine - Higher

Hormones in human reproduction

Treating infertility - Higher

Bioenergetics

Photosynthesis and limiting factors

How plants use glucose from photosynthesis

Factors limiting the rate of photosynthesis - Higher

Ideal conditions for photosynthesis - Higher

Aerobic and anaerobic respiration

Metabolism

Responses to exercise

Infection and response

Communicable disease

How the body fights disease

Vaccination, immunisation and medicines

Drug development and testing

Organisation

Cell organisation

Enzymes

The respiratory system and breathing rate

Human circulatory system

Cardiovascular disease and treatment

The relationship between health and disease

Non-communicable diseases

Cancer and its risk factors

Plant cell organisation

Water and mineral transport in plants

Cell biology

Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells

Types of microscopes and calculations

Specialised animal and plant cells

The cell cycle and stages of mitosis

Cell differentiation, stem cells and ethics

Transport systems in cells

Specialised exchange surfaces

Exchange surfaces in leaves and fish

Working scientifically

The scientific method

Science communication and ethics

Evaluating risks and hazards

Collecting data

Processing and presenting data

Units and equations

Structuring a scientific report and drawing conclusions

Uncertainties and evaluations

Practical skills

Measuring techniques

Safety and ethics

Designing experiments

Methods of heating substances

Working with electronics

Random sampling and sampling methods

Comparing results using percentage change

Explainer Video

Tutor: Henry

Summary

The human endocrine system

In a nutshell

Hormones are produced by endocrine glands and travel around the body in the blood. This allows them to reach their target organs. Each target organ has a response to a hormone. Different hormones have different target organs and cause different responses. Hormones are therefore a way your body communicates with itself.



Hormones

​​Definition

Hormones are chemical substances produced by endocrine glands that are released directly into the bloodstream. They alter the activity of specific target organs. These endocrine glands make up the endocrine system. 

​

Example

Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands. One of its target organs is the heart and here adrenaline is able to increase heart rate.



Release of hormones

Different endocrine glands produce different hormones as shown in the diagram below.

Gland

Hormone(s)

Target organ(s)

1.

Hypothalamus

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone, corticotropin-releasing hormone

Pituitary gland

2.

Pituitary

Thyroid stimulating hormone, antidiuretic hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone

Thyroid gland, kidneys and ovaries

3.

Thyroid

Thyroxine

Various organs

4.

Adrenal

Adrenaline

Various organs

5.

Pancreas

Insulin, glucagon

Liver, muscle and adipose tissues

6.

Ovaries 

Oestrogen, progesterone

Ovaries, uterus and pituitary gland

7.

Testes

Testosterone

Male reproductive organs


Pituitary gland

The pituitary gland produces many hormones that regulate body conditions. It is sometimes called the 'master gland' as the hormones it produces act on other glands and causes them to produce hormones. 



Hormones and nerves

Both nerves and hormones help humans respond to changes in the environment and their bodies. Hormones usually have a long-lived effect and act in a more general way whereas nerves normally have a short-term effect and act on a precise area. This is because nerve impulses work quickly while hormones take longer to work. 

Read more

Learn with Basics

Learn the basics with theory units and practise what you learned with exercise sets!
Length:
Hormones: adrenaline and thyroxine - Higher

Unit 1

Hormones: adrenaline and thyroxine - Higher

Jump Ahead

Score 80% to jump directly to the final unit.

This is the current lesson and goal (target) of the path

The human endocrine system

Unit 2

The human endocrine system

Final Test

Test reviewing all units to claim a reward planet.

Create an account to complete the exercises

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between hormones and nerves?

Hormones usually have a long-lived effect and act in a more general way, whereas nerves have a short-term effect and act in a specific way. Nerve impulses work quickly while hormones take longer to work.

What are the seven glands of the endocrine system?

The seven glands of the endocrine system are the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas, ovaries and testes.

What is the endocrine system?

The endocrine glands make up the endocrine system. Endocrine glands produce hormones.

©2020 - 2025 evulpo AG

Beta