• Endocrine gland is a ductless gland that secretes hormones directly into the blood
• The endocrine gland consists of a mass of cells, tissues or organs
• Hormone is a chemical substance made up of proteins or steroids which can regulate physiological processes in humans and animals

Growth hormone (GH)

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)

Prolactin

Oxytocin

Insulin

Glucagon

Aldosterone

Adrenaline

Androgen

Cortisol

Oestrogen

Progesterone

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)

Target tissue/organ: pituitary gland

Function: regulates activities of the pituitary gland to secrete LH and FSH

Growth hormone (GH)

Target tissue/organ: liver and adipose tissue

Function: stimulates growth especially in bone and muscle and regulates the metabolism of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

Target tissue/organ: testis and ovary

Function: stimulates the development of follicles in the ovary, stimulates the formation of sperms in the testis and stimulates the ovaries to secrete oestrogen

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Target tissue/organ: testis and ovary

Function: stimulates testis to produce testosterone in males and stimulates the ovary to perform ovulation and formation of corpus luteum in females

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)

Target tissue/organ: thyroid gland

Function: stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete thyroxine

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Target tissue/organ: adrenal gland

Function: stimulates adrenal cortex to secrete corticoid hormones and regulates the growth of the adrenal cortex

Oxytocin

Target tissue/organ: uterus muscles and mammary gland

Function: simulates the contraction of the uterus during birth and stimulates the mammary gland to secrete milk

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Target tissue/organ: kidney

Function: Stimulates the kidneys to reabsorb water and reduces the production of urine

Prolactin

Target tissue/organ: mammary gland

Function: stimulates the mammary gland to secrete milk

Thyroxine

Target tissue/organ: all tissues

Function: stimulates, maintain the rate of metabolism in the body and controls physical growth and normal development of the brain

Insulin

Target tissue/organ: liver, muscles and adipose tissues

Function: lowers blood glucose level by stimulating the uptake of glucose into cells for metabolism and converts excess glucose into glycogen

Glucagon

Target tissue/organ: liver, muscles and adipose tissues

Function: raises blood glucose level by stimulating the conversion of glycogen into glucose

Adrenaline

Target tissue/organ: heart, liver and muscles 

Function: increases blood glucose level and rises metabolic activities such as heartbeat rate, breathing rate, vasodilation and vasoconstriction of blood vessels for preparing the body in a "fight or flight" situation

Aldosterone

Target tissue/organ: kidney

Function: stimulates the absorption of mineral salt in kidneys

Androgen

Target tissue/organ: reproductive organs

Function: important to reach puberty and regulates the maturity of reproductive organs and the development of secondary sexual characteristics

Cortisol

Target tissue/organ: all tissues

Function: stimulates the conversion of lipids and proteins into glucose and produced during fight and flight situations to increase the blood sugar level

Testosterone

Target tissue/organ: male reproductive organs

Function: stimulates sperm production and stimulates the development of secondary sexual characteristics in males

Oestrogen

Target tissue/organ: female reproductive organs

Function: stimulates the development of female reproductive organs, repairs and build the uterine wall, and stimulates the secondary sexual characteristics in female

Progesterone

Target tissue/organ: uterus

Function: maintains the thickening of the uterine wall for embryo implantation

Coordination of both nervous system and endocrine system in an anxious situation:

• Stimulus of fear occurs
• Nerve impulse sent to the central nervous system
• Central nervous system interprets information
• Heartbeat increases
• Breathing rate increases
• Blood pressure increases
• Metabolic rate increases
• Blood glucose level increases
• Energy production increases
• Skeletal muscles use the energy to fight or flight

• Both systems play important roles in the coordination and response of the body toward stimuli
• Coordinates all body activities
• Both systems have cell, tissue or organ as target

Consists of nerve tissue

Signals are transmitted via nerve impulses and neurotransmitters

The signal is sent along the neurones

The transmission of electrical impulses is rapid

The region of response is small, limited to a specific region

The effect is short-lived and reversible

Involves voluntary and involuntary actions

Involves in the movement of the body

Comprises of endocrine glands

The signal is sent via hormones

The signal is sent by blood circulation

The delivery of hormones is relatively slow

The region of response is wider, involved few target organs

Only involves involuntary actions

Involves in physiological processes in the body