University Biology Assignment: The Human Endocrine System Explained

This assignment provides a comprehensive overview of the human endocrine system, beginning with a basic introduction to the system and its components, including glands and hormones. The document then explores the interactions of the endocrine system with other physiological systems, particularly the nervous system, and discusses the role of the endocrine system in maintaining homeostasis. The assignment further delves into a specific disease, Cushing's syndrome, detailing its causes, symptoms, and treatments. References to reputable sources, including government websites and peer-reviewed journal articles, are included to support the information presented. The assignment fulfills the requirements of a biology homework assignment, covering the endocrine system in detail.

Running Head: ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

1ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Response to Question 1:
The endocrine system is a combination of glands that releases chemicals in the body,
which is called as hormones. These hormones flow straight through the bloodstream and target
the particular cell to bring a change. Endocrine system acts as a nervous system and can generate
fluctuations in the connected cells of adjoining tissues. The branch of studying endocrine system
is called Endocrinology (1). The endocrine system is a combination of Pineal gland, Pituitary
gland, Thyroid gland, Thymus, Adrenal Gland, Pancreas, Ovary (female), and Testis (male). The
endocrine system performs numerous functions in the body that includes growth of tissues and
muscles, to repair the damaged tissues, to enhance the reproductive systems and helps in better
indigestion. Hormones produced from the endocrine glands are the vital chemical messages in
the body, and it works only if the target site has a specific shape that locks on the wall of the
organs. The endocrine system regulates the hormone in a way that it remains at the appropriate
level every time (2). The hormones released from the organs can also be restricted to by proteins
or neuron indicators. The released hormones can cause an immediate effect or a delayed effect
based on the condition of the body. A direct impact can cause the insulin to take a rapid increase
of glucose level into the cells, whereas a delayed effect can cause glucocorticoids to reduce
precise mechanisms of immune function.
Response to Question 2(a):
The endocrine system has a significant role to play in the entire body. The endocrine
system is closely related to the nervous system and works together. The nervous system
comprises of Nerves and Brain. The brain sends signals in the form instructions to the endocrine
glands, and the endocrine glands respond to the mind. The working mechanism between the
Endocrine system and Nervous System can be termed as the neuroendocrine system. It is also

2ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
essential to maintain an appropriate check and to maintain the proper level, the hypothalamus
present in the brain senses in the increasing level of hormones in the target organs and delivers
an immediate signal to the pituitary gland. Whereas, the pituitary gland stops delivering certain
hormones and triggering the specific organ to discontinue generating its hormones (3). In order
to detect the signal more accurately, the hypothalamus is known as the master of all the glands as
it can control the activity and hormonal levels of all the endocrine glands. The endocrine system
also plays a vital role to maintain the growth and metabolism of the body. Development of
tissues and cells can only be caused due to the proper release of hormones from the Endocrine
glands and also to maintain the hormonal balance (4).
Response to Question 2(b):
The endocrine system plays an enormous role to maintain the homeostasis in the body,
which can be defined as to remain stable and constant concerning the environmental change or
hormonal change. The hormones released from the endocrine glands play a vital role to maintain
the Homeostasis (5). The stimulus can control the hormonal flow into the blood, and thus, it can
decrease or increase hormonal secretion. Several uncertain factors such as pH imbalance or a rise
in body temperature can cause severe changes in Hormonal secretion, but it can be controlled by
a stimulus. An important fact to be known that every system contributes to the process of
homeostasis and, the primary function is to maintain the mineral and water content throughout
the body, which is termed as osmoregulation (6). This process mainly occurs in Kidneys. One of
the vital function is to remove metabolic waste through excretion, and it primarily occurs in the
lungs and kidneys. Homeostasis level can also be maintained by regulating the blood glucose
level (7). The process mainly happens to be associated with the level where insulin and glucagon
are secreted by the pancreas inside the body.

3ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Response to Question 3:
Along with the importance of endocrine system, and its influential role with other
physiological system, and Homeostasis, it is also necessary to know one of the vital syndrome
that can affect the endocrine system for a long-term. Crushing’s disease or syndrome is a
significant condition of shattering the roots in the Frontal Pituitary gland. Crushing’s syndrome
is one such disease that affects the Endocrine system and make people extremely weak. There
are numerous factors that cause the disease to grow and expand, one such factor is steroids,
where it can occur due to excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal glands. Specific
symptoms that signify the syndrome are a fatty lump on the shoulders or purple stretch marks. It
can also lead to Diabetes Mellitus or Osteoporosis if remains untreated. Treatment of this
syndrome includes decreasing the use of steroids, laparoscopic Surgery and medication. It can be
fatal if it remains untreated, but appropriate treatments to cure this disorder permanently (8).

4ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
References
1. Betterhealth.vic.gov.au. Hormonal (endocrine) system [Internet]. Betterhealth.vic.gov.au.
2019 [cited 26 September 2019]. Available from:
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/hormonal-endocrine-system
2. Medlineplus.gov. Endocrine glands - Health Video: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
[Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2019 [cited 26 September 2019]. Available from:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/anatomyvideos/000048.htm
3. Chrousos G. Organization and Integration of the Endocrine System: The Arousal and Sleep
Perspective. 2017.
4. Tucker RM, Tan SY. Do non-nutritive sweeteners influence acute glucose homeostasis in
humans? A systematic review. Physiology & behavior. 2017 Dec 1;182:17-26.
5. Holst SC, Bersagliere A, Bachmann V, Berger W, Achermann P, Landolt HP. Dopaminergic
role in regulating neurophysiological markers of sleep homeostasis in humans. Journal of
Neuroscience. 2014 Jan 8;34(2):566-73.
6. Whiteley AT, Garelis NE, Peterson BN, Choi PH, Tong L, Woodward JJ, Portnoy DA. c‐di‐
AMP modulates L isteria monocytogenes central metabolism to regulate growth, antibiotic
resistance and osmoregulation. Molecular microbiology. 2017 Apr;104(2):212-33.
7. Modell H, Cliff W, Michael J, McFarland J, Wenderoth M, Wright A. A physiologist's view of
homeostasis. 2015.

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8. Medlineplus.gov. Cushing disease: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia [Internet].
Medlineplus.gov. 2019 [cited 26 September 2019]. Available from:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000348.htm