We Recommend Watching the Video with these Compatible Resources

• Sciencebook's Year 12 Human Biology Coursebook - add your notes to Chapter One and highlight any key phrases.
  You can get your copy here.

• Sciencebook's Year 12 Human Biology Exam Guide - attempt the exam questions in Chapter One to consolidate your understanding.
  You can get your copy here.

• Sciencebook's Year 12 Human Biology Exam Paper for the Endocrine System - attempt the exam paper under time pressure to apply your knowledge under exam conditions.
  You can get your copy here.

Learning Outcomes

• Endocrine glands of the human body include the hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, thyroid, parathyroid, thymus, pancreas, adrenal glands and gonads 

• The release of hormones from the pituitary gland are controlled by the hypothalamus

• The hypothalamus controls the release of hormones from the anterior pituitary through the transport of releasing factors in the local bloodstream (vascular)

• The hypothalamus controls the release of hormones from the posterior pituitary via the transport of hormones (ADH and oxytocin) through nerve cells 

• Hormones affect specific target organs (with specific receptors) 

• The three types of hormones include proteins, amines and steroids

• The three types of hormones differ in terms of the location of receptors and signalling pathways

• Homeostasis is maintained via the actions of the nervous and endocrine systems

• The endocrine and nervous system are structurally and functionally distinct