Digestive and Endocrine Systems

3 The Endocrine System

REVIEW Recall the definition of the Review Vocabulary term.
VOCABULARY
homeostasis regulation of an organism’s internal environment to

homeostasis
maintain life

NEW VOCABULARY Write the correct term in the left column for each definition below.
endocrine gland any gland that produces hormones, which are released into the
bloodstream and distributed to body cells
hormone acts on target cells and tissues to produce a specific response
pituitary gland secretes hormones that regulate many body functions as well as
other endocrine glands
thyroxine hormone that causes cells to have a higher rate of metabolism
calcitonin thyroid hormone that is partly responsible for the regulation of
calcium, blood clotting, nerve function, and muscle contraction
parathyroid hormone increases blood calcium by stimulating the bones to release
calcium
insulin pancreatic hormone that signals liver and muscle cells to accelerate
the conversion of glucose to glycogen, which is stored in the liver
glucagon pancreatic hormone that signals liver cells to convert glycogen to
glucose and release the glucose into the blood
aldosterone steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that primarily affects
the kidneys and is important for reabsorbing sodium
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education

cortisol steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that raises blood
glucose levels and also reduces inflammation
antidiuretic hormone hormone produced by the hypothalamus, regulates water balance

Get It? Explain how feedback can stabilize a system.

Feedback can stabilize a system by mediating behaviors to keep

conditions within certain limits.

Science Notebook • Digestive and Endocrine Systems

387
3 The Endocrine System (continued)
Contrast the action of steroid hormones and amino acid hormones.
Accept all reasonable responses.

Steroid Hormones Amino Acid Hormones

cause target cells to initiate cannot diffuse through plasma
protein synthesis; soluble in lipids, membrane, so it must bind with
so it can diffuse through plasma receptors on membrane of target
membrane of target cell; bind with cell; receptors activate enzyme
receptors in cytoplasm; move inside, which initiates a
together into nucleus; bind with biochemical pathway, resulting in
DNA, activating specific genes desired response

Sequence the steps in a portion of the negative feedback system.

Steps in the regulation of calcium are written in scrambled order at
right. Write the steps in the correct order in the boxes

Blood calcium drops Kidneys excrete less

calcium.
too low.
Parathyroid glands detect
calcium deficiency.
Parathyroid glands
Bones release more
detect calcium calcium.
deficiency.
Blood calcium drops too
low.
Parathyroid glands
release more Parathyroid glands release

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education

parathyroid hormone. more parathyroid hormone.

Bones release more Kidneys excrete

calcium. less calcium.

Explain how the endocrine system functions as a communication

system.

Serves as messengers hormones

Produces messengers endocrine glands

Receives the messages target cells and tissues

Science Notebook • Digestive and Endocrine Systems

388
 3 The Endocrine System (continued)
Get It? Explain how negative feedback is important in maintaining
homeostasis.

Responding to negative feedback, when levels of a substance in the

body rise too high, glands secrete a regulating hormone that causes the

level of the substance to drop. When levels of the substance drop too

low, the regulating hormone causes more of the substance to be

released. Often described as a feedback loop, this process of maintaining

homeostasis can go on indefinitely.

Compare the hormone functions of the glands listed below.

Gland/ Hormones Body Functions

Location Produced Regulated
Pituitary human growth hGH regulates physical
Location: hormone (hGH), growth; others regulate

base of brain among others many body functions and

other endocrine glands
Thyroid thyroxine causes cells to have a higher
Location: metabolic rate

throat calcitonin calcium levels in blood,

blood clotting, nerve
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education

function, muscle contraction

Parathyroid parathyroid calcium levels
Location: hormone
throat
Pancreas insulin lowers blood glucose levels
Location:
below stomach glucagon raises blood glucose levels

Adrenal aldosterone reabsorption of sodium

Location:
just above cortisol raises blood glucose and
kidneys reduces inflammation

Science Notebook • Digestive and Endocrine Systems

389
3 The Endocrine System (continued)
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS
1. Explain the reasons why hormone feedback systems are referred to as “negative
feedback.”

Hormones work in the opposite direction of the stimulus; therefore the feedback system is described

as negative.

2. Predict when high levels of insulin would be found in a person’s blood and when
high levels of glucagon would be found in a person’s blood.

Insulin is secreted when sugar levels are high. Glucagon is secreted when blood glucose levels are

low.

3. Explain how the endocrine and nervous systems work together to maintain
homeostasis.

The nervous system and the endocrine system work together to sense and regulate conditions in

the body.

4. Identify and describe the functions of pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, and
adrenal glands.

Pituitary gland: regulates many body functions and other endocrine glands. Thyroid gland: regulates

metabolism and calcium. Parathyroid gland: increases blood calcium levels. Pancreas: aids digestion

and regulates blood sugar. Adrenal gland: regulates sodium and blood sugar levels.

Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education

5. Research Iodine is essential for thyroid gland function. Fetal and childhood iodine
deficiency is a major cause of mental retardation in the world, yet the deficiency is
preventable. Predict how iodine deficiency might lead to mental retardation or other
health issues. Research what has been and what is being done to alleviate this concern.
Include information about sources of iodine in your response.

Lack of thyroxin from iodine deficiency will slow metabolism in neurons in the brain. Iodized table

salt is a source of iodine.

Science Notebook • Digestive and Endocrine Systems

390