What is it?The endocrine system is made up of glands that produce and secrete hormones, chemical substances produced in the body that regulate the activity of cells or organs. These hormones regulate the body's growth, metabolism (the physical and chemical processes of the body), and sexual development and function. The hormones are released into the bloodstream and may affect one or several organs throughout the body (7).
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Major Glands |
The major glands of the endocrine system are the hypothalamus, pituitary,thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, pineal body, and the reproductive organs (ovaries and testes). The pancreas is also a part of this system; it has a role in hormone production as well as in digestion (9).
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What are Hormones and How they work |
Hormone are the body's chemical messengers that transfer information and instructions from one set of cells to another.
In response to a signal from the brain, hormones are secreted directly into the blood by the glands that produce and store them. Although all cells are exposed to the hormones, only the target cell will respond to the signal because it has the receptors for that hormone. When the hormone binds to its receptor, it causes a biological response within the cell. Endocrine disruptors are hormone disrupting chemicals can act at any point during this process. Some are hormone mimics that send a false signal once binded, others block the action of a natural hormone, and some change the amount of hormone synthesized among other thing (7). |