Question

Define endocrine glands.

Answer 1

The endocrine glands are located throughout our body and regulate many vital processes.

These ductless organs contain cells that secrete hormones either into the bloodstream or the fluid around cells and distributed to target cells where they alter cellular metabolism.

Some of the major Endocrine Glands and their functions are as follows:

Glands	Hormone	Function
Hypothalamus	Hypothalamic-releasing hormone	inhibit or stimulate each anterior pituitary hormone
Adrenal cortex	Glucocorticoids, Mineralocorticoids	Glucocorticoids (cortisol) - Raise blood glucose levels; stimulate breakdown of fats and proteins Mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) - Regulate body water balance as it reabsorbs sodium and excretes potassium
Adrenal medulla	Epinephrine, norepinephrine	Target most cells of the body, increase cardiac activity, raise blood glucose level, release stored lipids
Ovaries	Estrogen, Progesterone	Stimulates the development of  female secondary sexual characteristics; regulates menstrual cycle; maintains growth of uterine lining
Pancreas	Glucagon, Insulin	Associated with most cells of the body i.e., liver, muscles and adipose tissue. While Insulin lowers blood glucose level, glucagon raises blood glucose level.
Parathyroid glands	Parathyroid hormone (PTH)	Increases calcium concentration in body fluids
Pineal gland	Melatonin	Also referred as 'hormone of darkness' because the rate of its secretion rises too high at night and falls during daylight. It helps regulate certain biorhythms, such as sleep patterns (controls circadian and circannual rhythms).
Pituitary gland
Posterior Pituitary Gland	Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)	Promotes water retention by kidneys
	Oxytocin	Stimulates labor and milk let-down contractions
Anterior Pituitary Gland	Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)	Stimulates thyroid for secretion of T3 and T4
	Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)	Stimulates secretion of glucocorticoids from adrenal cortex
	Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)	Stimulate secretion of sex hormones from the gonads (egg and sperm production)
	Luteinizing hormone (LH)
	Prolactin (PRL)	Stimulates milk production
	Growth hormone (hGH)	Promotes growth (cell division and protein synthesis etc.)
	Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)	Regulates skin color
Testes	Androgens (testosterone)	Stimulates the development of  male secondary sexual characteristics; stimulate sperm production
Thymus gland	Thymosin	It is an amino acid-based hormone that stimulates production and maturation of T lymphocytes, which help defend the body from pathogens.
Thyroid gland	Thyroxine, Triiodothyronine Calcitonin	Both the hormones, Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) are identical hormones. These two hormones accelerate cellular metabolism in most body tissues and regulates growth and development. Calcitonin hormone decreases blood calcium concentration.

 

Answer 2

Endocrine Glands: Endocrine Glands are ductless glands which secreats hormone (a chemical messenger) directly into blood stream.

eg pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal gland etc.

Note: Exocrine glands are duct bearing glands which secreats their secretion outside the body.

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