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Physiology: Animal Function and Reproduction

Endocrine System

What are some vertebrate endocrine glands and their hormones?

Epinephrine and norephinephrine are released by the adrenal glands in times of stress. The familiar feelings of a pounding, racing heart, increased respiration, elevated blood pressure, and goosebumps on the skin are responses to stressful circumstances.

Vertebrates have ten major endocrine glands. The following lists those glands, their target tissues, and their principal function in the body:

Endocrine gland; hormone

Target tissue

Principal function

Posterior pituitary

 

 

     

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Kidneys

Stimulates water reabsorption by kidneys

 

Oxytocin

Uterus, mammary glands

Stimulates uterine contractions and milk ejection

Anterior pituitary

 

 

 

Growth hormone (GH)

General

Stimulates growth, especially cell division and bone growth

 

Adrenocorticotropichormone (ACTH)

Adrenal cortex

Stimulates adrenal cortex

 

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Thyroid gland

Stimulates thyroid

 

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Gonads

Stimulates ovaries and testes

 

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Gonads

Controls egg and sperm production

 

Prolactin (PRL)

Mammary glands

Stimulates milk production

 

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)

Skin

Regulates skin color in reptiles and amphibians; unknown function in humans

Thyroid

 

 

 

Calcitonin

Bone

Lowers blood calcium level

Parathyroid

 

 

 

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Bone, kidneys, digestive tract

Raises blood calcium level

Adrenal medulla

 

 

Epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline)

Skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, blood vessels

Initiates stress responses; raises heart rate, blood pressure, metabolic rates; constricts certain blood vessels

Adrenal cortex

 

 

 

Aldosterone

Kidney tubules

Stimulates kidneys to reabsorb sodium and excrete potassium

 

Cortisol

General

Increases blood glucose

Pancreas

 

 

 

Insulin

Liver

Lowers blood glucose level; stimulates formation and storage of glycogen

 

Glucagon

Liver, adipose tissue

Raises blood glucose level

Ovary

 

 

 

Estrogens

General; female Stimulates development of reproductive structures

secondary sex characteristics in females and uterine lining

 

Progesterone

Uterus, breasts

Promotes growth of uterine lining; stimulates breast development

Testes

 

 

 

Androgens (testosterone)

General; male reproductive structures

Stimulates development of male sex organs and spermatogenesis

Pineal gland

 

 

 

Melatonin

Gonads, pigment cells

Involved in daily and seasonal rhythmic activities (circadian cycles); influences pigmentation in some species



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