BIOLOGY (Advanced) – Endocrine System

The Endocrine System

Learning Time: 4-12 hours

Content: The endocrine system consists of endocrine glands that regulate the body’s growth, metabolism, reproduction, and stress responses through hormones. This topic covers the structure of the endocrine glands, the hormones they secrete, the effects of hormones on target organs, and feedback mechanisms. The TYT covers basic hormones and their functions, while the AYT covers mechanisms and diseases in more depth. The updated 2025 curriculum also includes modern developments such as endocrine disorders (diabetes, thyroid diseases) and hormone therapies. Understanding this topic is critical for understanding metabolic and physiological processes.

• Basic Concepts of the Endocrine System:
  • Endocrine Glands and Hormones
  • Chemical Structure of Hormones (Steroid and Peptide Hormones)
  • Transport Mechanisms of Hormones (Transport by Blood)
• Pituitary Gland:
  • Anterior Lobe Hormones (Growth Hormone, TSH, ACTH)
  • Posterior Lobe Hormones (Oxytocin, ADH)
  • Hypothalamus-Pituitary Relationship
• Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands:
  • Thyroid Hormones (T3, T4 and Metabolic Control)
  • Parathyroid Hormone (Calcium Level Regulation)
  • Thyroid Diseases (Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism)
• Adrenal Glands:
  • Medulla (Adrenaline and Noradrenaline)
  • Cortex (Glucocorticoids, Mineralocorticoids)
  • Stress Response and Cortisol
• Pancreas:
  • Insulin and Glucagon (Blood Sugar Regulation)
  • Types of Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
  • The Role of the Pancreas in Digestion
• Gonadal Glands:
  • Testosterone and Male Reproduction (Testicles)
  • Estrogen and Progesterone (Ovaries)
  • Puberty and Menopause
• Other Endocrine Glands:
  • Pineal Gland (Melatonin and Sleep Cycle)
  • Thymus Gland (Maturation of T Cells)
  • Endocrine System Disorders (Acromegaly, Addison’s Disease)
• Effect and Control Mechanisms of Hormones:
  • Negative and Positive Feedback
  • Target Cell Receptors
  • Hormone Therapies (Synthetic Hormones)