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The Endocrine System **Primary Function** The e ndocrine system is a network of glands that release hormones that help your body grow and develop. Without it you couldn’t eat, grow, or even live. The main job of the endocrine system is to make chemicals. These chemicals are called [|hormones]. These hormones fit like a key into target cells. Target cells are cells that the glands in the endocrine system sense that the hormones are made to fit into. Once the glands release the hormones, they travel through the blood stream and locate the cells. They then lock into the target cell. Once connected, the hormone becomes almost like the control center for the cell. They tell the cell when to multiply and divide at certain rates at certain times.

= Organs = The Endocrine system is made up of many glands. The glands are the Hypothalamus, Pituitary gland, Thy mus, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Adrenal gland, Pancreas and the Ovaries and Testes. The Pituitary gl and, located in th e middle of the brain, is considered the master gland of the entire endocrine system, even though its only the size of a pea. The pituitary gland releases 8 hormones which tell the other glands when to release hormones. But in general, every gland is needed in order to survive. Another important gland to the endocrine system is the hypothalamus, located near the Pituitary gland. The hypothalamus is made up of two parts, the anterior lobe and the posterior lobe. The posterior lobe releases 2 hormones and the anterior lobe releases 8. The hypothalamus also links the nervous and endocrine system together. The reason why this is so important is because hormones are released through nerve impulses. Without this, our glands wouldn’t know when to release hormones.

**Systems This System Works With** Th e endocrine system works with a lot of systems. Some of the most important it works with are the nervous, circulatory, and reproductive systems. The endocrine system works with the [|reproductive system]very closely. The ovaries and testes are both reproductive and endocrine glands. The ovaries create the hormone estrogen, and the testes create the hormone testosterone. Another hormone is created while and after a baby is born. While the baby is being born a hormone the calms the mom is released. After the baby is born another hormone is released from the pituitary gland. This hormone starts creating milk for the baby. Another system the endocrine system works with is the [|immune system]. The thymus, a gland in the endocrine system, produces a hormone that helps develop the immune system at an early age. For the immune system the thymus creates t- limphasites (or t-cells) which are cells that identify germs that have entered the body. The [|nervous and circulatory systems] are also vital to the organs. Hormones are released from glands from nerve impulses. The nerve impulses release a perfect quantity of hormone, not to much, not to little. Once the hormones are released they enter the circulatory system. Once there, the hormones travel through the blood stream. As they travel through the blood stream they lock onto target cells. Its kind of like the endocrine systems public transportation. To see a video on how these systems work together click [|here.]

**Health**

T he endocrine system can sometimes encounter problems. One of the most common problems is[| diabetes]. There are 3 types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is when your immune system attacks and kills the insulin your pancreas makes. Insulin is a chemical that allows glucose to enter a cell, almost like a key for a door. Because there is no glucose to unlock the door, the glucose builds up in the blood. The large amount of glucose in the blood causes high blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes is when the insulin your pancreas produces is ineffective. The insulin cant unlock the door of the cell. As the glucose builds up in the blood, the pancreas senses the high blood sugar and overworks itself to produce insulin to control the glucose in the blood. Because it overworks itself it may not be able to produce insulin ever again. Type 3 diabetes is also called gestational diabetes. During pregnancy, usually around the 24th week, many women develop gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes doesnt mean that the mother has had or will have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The best way to keep your system healthy is by eating healthy and exercising. Somtimes artificial insulin shots (see photo) are needed in order to control blood sugar levels.

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