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The Endocrine System

The Endocrine System

The endocrine system is an extensive network of glands – organs or tissues in the body that create chemicals that control many bodily functions, that secrete hormones, which are chemical messengers that play essential roles in regulating various bodily functions. These hormones are secreted into the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. They require specific receptors to convey signals to cells possessing these corresponding receptors. This complex signaling mechanism ensures that every...

Hormonal Regulation

Hormonal Regulation

The renin-aldosterone system is an endocrine system which guides the renal absorption of water and electrolytes, thus managing blood pressure and osmoregulation. Activation of the system begins in the kidneys with a small cluster of cells adjacent to the afferent and efferent blood vessels of the renal corpuscle. As the nephrons are filtering blood, juxtaglomerular cells monitor blood pressure. If they detect a decrease in pressure, they release the hormone renin into the bloodstream.

Hormonal Regulation

Hormonal Regulation

Hormones regulate a significant portion of digestion through activation of the neuroendocrine system. The neuroendocrine system of digestion contains many different hormones all with multiple functions that are both, directly and indirectly, involved in digestion.

An Overview of the Endocrine System

An Overview of the Endocrine System

The endocrine system, a complex network of glands, orchestrates physiological balance within the body through the production and secretion of hormones. These hormones are chemical messengers in intercellular communication, acting as conduits between the secretory cells and distant target sites. They traverse the circulatory system by being released into the extracellular fluid, and their impact is specific to cells possessing receptors for a particular hormone.
The endocrine system collaborates...

What is the Endocrine System?

What is the Endocrine System?

The endocrine system sends hormones—chemical signals—through the bloodstream to target cells—the cells the hormones selectively affect. These signals are produced in endocrine cells, secreted into the extracellular fluid, and then diffuse into the blood. Eventually, they diffuse out of the blood and bind to target cells which have specialized receptors to recognize the hormones.

Endocrine Signaling

Endocrine Signaling

Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 27, 2026

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making

Combining Behavioral Endocrinology and Experimental Economics: Testosterone and Social Decision Making

Published on: March 2, 2011

[Evolutionary endocrinology: a pending matter].

Carles Zafón¹

¹Servicio de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, España. 26276czl@comb.cat

Endocrinologia Y Nutricion : Organo De La Sociedad Espanola De Endocrinologia Y Nutricion

|November 25, 2011

Summary

Evolutionary medicine (EM) applies Darwinian principles to understand disease susceptibility and reactions. This young field, while established in some areas, holds significant untapped potential for advancing medical understanding and treatment strategies.

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Area of Science:

Integrative biology
Medical sciences

Background:

Evolutionary medicine (EM) applies Darwinian principles to understand disease.
EM analyzes the evolutionary origins of disease susceptibility and responses.
The field has seen varied adoption across medical specialties.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide an overview of evolutionary medicine.
To illustrate the potential contributions of EM to endocrinology.
To highlight the reciprocal relationship between evolution and medicine.

Main Methods:

Review of foundational concepts in evolutionary medicine.
Analysis of EM's current and potential applications in various medical fields.
Case examples of EM's relevance to endocrinology and 'diseases of civilization'.

Main Results:

EM has been successfully integrated into infectious diseases and oncology.
EM's role in endocrinology is currently limited, primarily focusing on 'diseases of civilization' like diabetes and obesity.
Experts believe EM has substantial untapped potential across medicine.

Conclusions:

Evolutionary medicine offers a valuable historical perspective on disease etiology.
EM has the potential to significantly advance endocrinology and other medical fields.
A synergistic relationship exists where evolution enriches medicine, and medicine informs evolutionary studies.