Briefly describe the functions of the endocrine system and the pituitary gland.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Students' examples may vary.

The answer should contain the following information:

The endocrine system is a chemical communication network that sends messages throughout the body via the bloodstream. Its job is to secrete hormones, chemicals that circulate through the blood and regulate the functioning or growth of the body. It also influences-and is influenced by-the functioning of the nervous system.

A key component of the endocrine system is the tiny pituitary gland. The pituitary gland has sometimes been called the "master gland" because it controls the functioning of the rest of the endocrine system. But the pituitary gland is more than just the taskmaster of other glands; it has important functions in its own right. For instance, hormones secreted by the pituitary gland control growth. Extremely short people and unusually tall ones usually have pituitary gland abnormalities.