Very Short Question and Answers - Endocrine System in Humans

The endocrine system controls and coordinates various functions in the body by secreting hormones.

Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands directly into the bloodstream to regulate body activities.

The endocrine system uses hormones (chemical signals), while the nervous system uses nerve impulses (electrical signals) for communication.

The pituitary gland is called the 'master gland' because it controls the activities of other endocrine glands by releasing specific hormones.

The thyroid gland is located in the neck, in front of the windpipe, and it secretes thyroxine.

Thyroxine controls the rate of metabolism, thereby regulating energy production and usage in the body.

Goitre is the swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck, usually caused by deficiency of iodine required to produce thyroxine.

Adrenaline, secreted by the adrenal glands, prepares the body for stress or emergencies (fight or flight response).

If the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin, blood sugar levels rise, leading to diabetes mellitus.

The testes secrete testosterone, which triggers the development of secondary sexual characteristics like facial hair, deeper voice, and increased muscle growth in boys.

The ovaries secrete estrogen and progesterone, which regulate female reproductive tissues, development of secondary sexual characteristics, the menstrual cycle, and pregnancy.

A deficiency of growth hormone (from the pituitary gland) during childhood hampers normal growth, resulting in dwarfism.

During exams or stressful situations, the adrenal glands secrete adrenaline, leading to increased heartbeat and faster breathing.

Insulin lowers blood glucose levels by promoting the uptake of glucose by body cells.

Normal thyroxine levels ensure proper metabolism, maintaining healthy body weight and sufficient energy. Low thyroxine causes slow metabolism and weight gain.

The adrenal glands are located above the kidneys and secrete hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

Estrogen, secreted by the ovaries, causes breast development, widening of hips, and the onset of menstruation in girls.

Cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands, helps manage stress and regulate metabolism.

Two disorders are diabetes mellitus (due to insulin deficiency) and goitre (due to thyroxine deficiency caused by lack of iodine).

The endocrine system maintains homeostasis by regulating growth, metabolism, reproduction, stress response, and other vital body processes through hormones.