Endocrine System
"Although we rarely think about them, the glands of the endocrine system and the hormones they release influence almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies..."
The Endocrine System
This past year has been quite a journey, but well worth it. For both of us, and we're assuming some of you, this is the first AP class we have ever taken. One of the most important pieces of information to remember is to TRY. Advanced Placements aren't exactly what you call "a walk in the park", however it is extremely beneficial in many ways. Not only do you have an opportunity to gain college credits and save A LOT of money, but you also receive a college learning experience. Thinking out of the box and connecting information is a must, especially with the new and "improved" AP Bio exam. Throughout the year, both of us have learned certain ways to study and tips to make understanding the content easier. When going through this webpage, we have incorporated these "tips" that you will hopefully utilize. However! If you ever need any help whether it be with just the endocrine system or anything at all pertaining to AP Biology, we are here to help! Going through this course has left us with much insight about not only Biology, but also provided us with studying and test-taking techniques. Our emails are attached to the buttons below. Feel free to email us at any time because we love to help! :) We hope that you will enjoy this class and work hard to make it as beneficial as intended to be. You have a great teacher who's willing to help with whatever you need and we know that every one of you has the potential. Good luck!
Sincerely,
Alexis and Mel :)
P.S: We made this page in a way to help you learn to take notes because it is essential for AP Biology or any other AP class you may take. Using the articles, videos and some written information that wasn't provided in these resources, you should be able to pull essential information.
Sincerely,
Alexis and Mel :)
P.S: We made this page in a way to help you learn to take notes because it is essential for AP Biology or any other AP class you may take. Using the articles, videos and some written information that wasn't provided in these resources, you should be able to pull essential information.
TIP: When first attempting to learn something complex, look up children websites that discuss the subject; they provide easily understood definitions which will help you learn the more complex information.
Feedback Loops
The picture to the right is an example of a negative feedback loop. Some endocrine actions, such as reproductive cycles or growth, occur over long periods of time and can take months or years to complete. Other endocrine actions, such as your body's reaction to fear, are fast, sometimes occurring within seconds. Most endocrine activities are regulated by a series of complex feedback loops. These feedback loops work like a thermostat that responds to temperature changes by telling a furnace to turn on and off. When it's cold, the thermostat signals the furnace to turn on and make heat. As the temperature rises above the thermostat's set point, the signal turns off and the furnace shuts down. When the temperature falls below the set point, the thermostat again signals the furnace to turn on and start another feedback cycle.
There is also something called positive feedback loop. This is very rare compared to negative feedback loops which happen every day. Instead of telling the body to stop a certain action, the hormones tell the body to continue. For example, contractions during labor. Oxytocin promotes contractions during pregnancy to keep the labor going.
Endocrine glands react to hormonal changes in the blood in much the same way that a thermostat reacts to temperature changes. The glands, which do not constantly secrete hormones, rely on the presence or absence of hormones in the blood to turn their secretions on and off. If there is not enough hormone circulating in the blood, the endocrine glands make more, increasing blood hormone levels. If there is too much hormone, the glands stop producing it, leading to lower blood hormone levels. The liver also plays a role by removing hormones from the blood and breaking them apart. The main idea is: The endocrine system follows a general pattern - a signal is received, a hormonal response takes place and a reaction occurs.
There is also something called positive feedback loop. This is very rare compared to negative feedback loops which happen every day. Instead of telling the body to stop a certain action, the hormones tell the body to continue. For example, contractions during labor. Oxytocin promotes contractions during pregnancy to keep the labor going.
Endocrine glands react to hormonal changes in the blood in much the same way that a thermostat reacts to temperature changes. The glands, which do not constantly secrete hormones, rely on the presence or absence of hormones in the blood to turn their secretions on and off. If there is not enough hormone circulating in the blood, the endocrine glands make more, increasing blood hormone levels. If there is too much hormone, the glands stop producing it, leading to lower blood hormone levels. The liver also plays a role by removing hormones from the blood and breaking them apart. The main idea is: The endocrine system follows a general pattern - a signal is received, a hormonal response takes place and a reaction occurs.
TIP: Bozeman and Khan Academy will be your BFFs throughout the year!
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Khan Academy VideoThis video captures the main glands and organs of the endocrine system as well as some of the most important hormones. However, you do not need to know most of these hormones by heart, but instead know where they come from and what they target.
1) What is a simple definition of hormones? 2) Where do the hormones travel through? 3) What are the two major categories of hormones? 4) What are the three sub-categories of signaling? 5) Why does paracrine happen in such a short time? 6) What gland is at the bottom of the brain and what is one of its hormones created? 7) How does the pituitary know if there is too much or too little of a hormone 8) What are the adrenal glands? 9) What are two important hormones made from the pituitary that helps the gonads? 10) What does the pancreas do? |
Bozeman VideoThe main purpose of this video is to have you be familiar with the most important glands. The AP test should not directly ask you "What is one of the hormones that the pituitary releases?" but you should know the main glands and characteristics of them.
1) Why did Wadworth grow so tall? 2) What is the difference of nervous and endocrine signaling? 3) What is the difference of water soluable and lipid soluable hormones? 4) What is the pinel gland and an example of what it does? 5) What does the hypathalomus "connect" and what does it influence? 6) What two sections of the pituitary are there and give an example of what each does. 7) The thryoid controls and regulates what? 8) What is epinephrine? 9) What hormones are released by the ovaries? 10) What hormones are released by the testes? |
General Overview of the Endocrine System
Major Glands and Their Functions
TIP: The AP Test is made to be difficult and some questions you will not know, but everyone is in the same boat as you. Try your best, use process of elimination and ALWAYS guess. Never leave a question blank because who knows, maybe the random bubble you fill in is correct.