This week we’re going to learn about hormones…yes those lovely hormones our parents always like to tell us to learn how to control. Hormones are all a part of the endocrine system in our body. As you go through this week’s study pay close attention to how everything you’ve learned so far about the other human body systems connects to your miraculous endocrine system.
Action Steps:
Watch part 1 video of the endocrine system and answer the questions below:
1- What is a hormone?
2- How do hormones travel through your body exactly?
3- What is a gland?
4- What is the “master gland” in the body?
5- What 2 major hormones do the pancreas release after eating a generous helping of strawberry rhubarb pie?
6- What gland in your brain is the hub, central point, that works in times of crisis, where both the nervous and endocrine system cross paths? How does this gland help you specifically in life in times of crisis for example?
Watch part 2 video of the endocrine system and answer the questions below:
1- Where is your thyroid gland located? And what does it do as a part of your endocrine system?
2- What does the word “homeostasis” mean? And how does your thyroid gland support homeostasis roughly?
3- Explain in summary what the HPT Axis is and how it works?
To sum it all up, your endocrine system is like a team of secret agents, sending powerful chemical messages (hormones) throughout your body to keep everything running smoothly. These hormones control growth, metabolism, stress, sleep, emotions, and even energy levels.
Action Step:
Watch this next video to get a more in depth view and understanding of how the endocrine system works, where the glands are located specifically in your body.
Action Step:
Review the list of major endocrine glands and hormones below and choose 1 gland to research in more depth. Write a research paper in at least 800 words about what you learn. Come prepared to share a summary of the most important highlights/discoveries you learned about that gland and the hormone(s) it produces and how they affect our health. Share at least 1 example of how your chosen gland-hormones influence your life specifically and what would happen if that glad-hormone goes out of balance.
Each of you will have a chance to share what you learned in a timed 2 minutes in front of class. Go deep, research and learn as much as you can so we all learn something interesting and beneficial. Van-bucks coming your way for each person who shares.
1. Brain Command Center
Hypothalamus (The Boss)
- Controls hormone release from the pituitary gland.
- Sends special “release” hormones to tell other glands what to do.
Pituitary Gland (The Captain)
- Growth Hormone (GH) – Helps you grow taller and stronger.
- Vasopressin – Encourages long-term commitment & trust in relationships.
- Prolactin (PRL) – Helps moms produce milk.
- Oxytocin – “Love hormone,” triggers bonding, childbirth, and milk release.
- Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) – Controls water balance, stops dehydration.
- FSH & LH – Control puberty and reproduction.
- TSH – Tells the thyroid to boost your energy levels.
- ACTH – Tells adrenal glands to help with stress.
2. The Energy Generator
Thyroid Gland (The Metabolism Manager)
- T3 & T4 (Thyroxine & Triiodothyronine) – Control how fast your body uses energy.
- Calcitonin – Lowers calcium levels in your blood.
Parathyroid Glands (The Calcium Controllers)
- Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) – Raises calcium levels for strong bones and muscles.
3. The Stress & Energy Factory
Adrenal Glands (Fight-or-Flight HQ)
- Epinephrine (Adrenaline) – “Superpower boost” for emergencies (faster heart rate, more energy).
- Cortisol (Stress Hormone) – Helps your body deal with stress but too much can cause weight gain.
- Aldosterone – Keeps your blood pressure steady by balancing salt & water.
4. The Blood Sugar Regulators
Pancreas (Energy Distributor)
- Insulin – Lowers blood sugar (stores energy).
- Glucagon – Raises blood sugar (releases stored energy).
5. The Reproductive Controllers ❤️
Ovaries (Females) & Testes (Males)
- Estrogen & Progesterone (Girls) – Control puberty, periods, and pregnancy.
- Testosterone (Boys) – Builds muscle, deepens voice, controls puberty.
- Inhibin – Keeps reproductive hormones in balance.
6. The Sleep Regulator
Pineal Gland (Body Clock Keeper)
- Melatonin – Helps you sleep at night and wake up on time.
7. The Immune System Trainer
Thymus Gland (Body’s Defense Coach)
- Thymosin – Helps develop strong immune cells (T-cells).
Watch these videos and explain what major brain chemical is released from your pituitary gland that encourages you to have a strong bond that can continually be strengthened between you and your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? What must you choose to do to have more of that brain chemical released to see your bond grow between you and God and anyone in your life? Come prepared to discuss this in more depth in class.
