This topic summary covers Knowledge Organiser within Human Endocrine System for GCSE Biology. Topic 4: Human Endocrine System It is section 10 of 11 in this topic. Use this topic summary to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 10 of 11
Practice
15 questions
Recall
20 flashcards
Knowledge Organiser
Key Glands and Hormones
- Pituitary — FSH, LH, ADH; "master gland"
- Thyroid — thyroxine; metabolic rate
- Pancreas — insulin (lowers glucose), glucagon (raises glucose)
- Adrenal — adrenaline; fight or flight
- Ovaries — oestrogen, progesterone; female reproduction
- Testes — testosterone; male reproduction
Nervous vs Hormonal Comparison
- Nervous: electrical impulses → fast → short-lasting → specific target
- Hormonal: chemical in blood → slower → long-lasting → widespread
- Target organ responds because it has specific receptor proteins for that hormone
- Pituitary = master gland — controls thyroid, adrenal glands, ovaries, testes
- Both systems work together; hypothalamus links nervous and endocrine