Endocrine System, Part I

thymus

Unlike most organs that grow until the age of maturity, the ____________ enlarges throughout childhood but slowly shrinks from the onset of puberty and throughout adulthood. As it shrinks, its tissues are replaced by adipose tissue. The shrinking is due to the reduced role of the thyroid in adulthood - the immune system produces most of its T cells during childhood and requires very few new T cells after puberty.

ovaries

In the endocrine system, what is the female counterpart of the testes?

pineal

The ____________ gland connects the endocrine system with the nervous system in that it converts nerve signals from the sympathetic system of the peripheral nervous system into hormone signals.

pituitary

The ______________ is a pea-sized gland that is housed within a bony structure (sella turcica) at the base of the brain. The sella turcica protects it but allows very little room for expansion.

testicles

The _______________ (also called testes or gonads) are the male sex glands. They are located behind the penis in a pouch of skin called the scrotum.

pancreas

The _______________ is an organ located in the abdomen. It plays an essential role in converting the food we eat into fuel for the body's cells.

hypothalamus

The ________________ uses a set-point to regulate the body's systems, including electrolyte and fluid balance, body temperature, blood pressure, and body weight. It receives inputs from the body, then makes the proper changes if anything differentiates from this set-point. The set-point can temporarily change, but remains remarkably fixed from day-to-day.

tissue function sleep sexual function reproduction growth and development metabolism mood

The endocrine system is the collection of glands that produce hormones that regulate which of the following? (Select all correct answers.)

conversion of nervous system signals to endocrine signals regulation of endocrine functions causes feeling of sleepiness influences sexual development secretion of the hormone melatonin

The pineal gland is involved in several functions of the body, including which of the following? (Select all that apply.)

testosterone

The testicles produce and store sperm, and they are also the body's main source of male hormones. What is the name of the male hormone?