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The Structure and Function of the Endocrine System in the Body

The Structure and Function of the Endocrine System in the Body - Essay Example

Summary

Hormones are chemical messages that have a specific or general effect on the target cells. They may also act on all cells, interact with receptors on cells, and modify cell physiology. Hormones…

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The Structure and Function of the Endocrine System in the Body

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Subject: Biology
Type: Essay
Level: Undergraduate
Pages: 7 (1750 words)
Downloads: 4
Author: jess88

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Release of hormones is slow or fast. Hormone production ceases on attainment of the required physiological activity. The endocrine system regulates almost all the other structures of the body. The circulatory system carries the secreted hormones to all the target tissues and organs. The main function of the endocrine system is homeostasis. Homeostasis is the maintenance of the internal environment at a constant state for proper function of cells. Individual hormones affect cells that contain a specific genetic program that allow them to respond.

The secretion of hormones by the endocrine glands causes specific responses that led to corrective measures (Falvo, 2013:374). Endocrine system functions by feedback mechanisms. The hypothalamus releases a hormone that triggers the pituitary gland to produce stimulating hormones. The stimulating hormone acts on the specific gland making it to secrete its hormone (Sherwood, 2012a, p19). When the level of this hormone increases in the blood, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland stop their secretion.

The secretion by the target gland eventually stops. The cells contain receptors on the membrane. The hormones bind to specific receptors trough the key-lock mechanism. Polar hormones generate a chemical signal through a second massager because they are unable to penetrate through the cell membrane (Falvo, 2013:378). The second massager activates the response of the target cell. The target cell begins the triggered activity. The non-polar hormones like the steroids enter the cell and bind to their receptors found in the cell cytoplasm.

When it gets into the cell, it binds to the receptors on the nuclear membrane. This activates the hormone receptor complex, which in turn binds to the DNA stimulating specific genes to produce proteins. The following are the major glands that integrate for the proper functioning of the endocrine system. They include the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, parathyroid gland, pancreas, ovaries,

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