ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

Question 1

what is the endocrine system?

Answer 1

a system of glands that produce and release hormones into the bloodstream

Question 2

how fast does the endocrine system work compared to the nervous system?

Answer 2

endocrine system works more slowly than the nervous system, but its effects are longer-lasting

Question 3

hormones are what type of messengers?

Answer 3

chemical messengers that travel through the blood to target organs, where they affect their activity

Question 4

what is the function of the pituitary gland?

Answer 4

known as the “master gland” because it controls other glands

Question 5

what is the function of the adrenal glands?

Answer 5

release adrenaline in response to stress (fight or flight)

Question 6

what is the function of the thyroid glands?

Answer 6

regulates metabolism

Question 7

how does the endocrine system work?

Answer 7

A gland releases a hormone

The hormone travels in the bloodstream

It reaches a target organ and changes its activity

Question 8

give an example of the endocrine system being used?

Answer 8

during stress, the adrenal glands release adrenaline, which increases heart rate and prepares the body for action

Question 9

what is a strength of the endocrine system?

Answer 9

supported by scientific evidence
~ Hormone levels can be measured in the blood
 which shows the explanation is objective and reliable

Has real-world applications
~ Used in treatments (e.g. hormone therapy for disorders)
 which means it is useful in medical practice

Question 10

what is a weakness of the endocrine system?

Answer 10

It is slow compared to the nervous system ~ Hormones take time to travel through the blood
 which shows it is not efficient for rapid responses

Can be oversimplified
~ The endocrine system often works with the nervous system (e.g. in stress response)
 which shows it cannot fully explain behaviour alone