NDA Biology · Human Physiology
The Endocrine System and Hormones
Endocrine glands release hormones into the blood; each hormone has a gland of origin and a specific job, and the menstrual cycle is run jointly by the ovary and pituitary.
Why this matters
5 PYQs — all recall from one table: which gland makes which hormone, and what it does. Thyroxine, insulin, adrenaline, estrogen are the regulars. The reliable trap is swapping a hormone's gland or function.
Concept 1 of 2: Hormones — gland and function
Definition
The high-yield hormone triples:
- Thyroxine — from the thyroid; controls metabolic rate; needs iodine to be made (deficiency → goitre).
- Insulin — from the pancreas; lowers blood glucose.
- Adrenaline — from the adrenal medulla; increases heartbeat ('fight or flight').
- Estrogen — from the ovary; develops female sexual characters.
- Oxytocin / Prolactin / FSH / LH — from the pituitary.
| Hormone | Gland | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Thyroxine | Thyroid | Controls metabolic rate (needs iodine) Iodised salt supplies the iodine the thyroid needs to make thyroxine. |
| Insulin | Pancreas | Lowers blood glucose |
| Adrenaline | Adrenal medulla | Increases heartbeat (fight/flight) |
| Estrogen | Ovary | Female sexual characters |
| FSH / LH | Pituitary | Drive the menstrual cycle / reproduction |
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
Example 1 · Human Physiology · Endocrine System and Hormones
Match the hormone to the RIGHT gland
Concept 2 of 2: Reproductive hormones and the menstrual cycle
Definition
The two-gland control of the menstrual cycle:
- Pituitary gland — releases FSH and LH that drive the cycle.
- Ovary — responds with estrogen (follicular phase) and progesterone (after ovulation, maintains the uterus lining).
- So the cycle is controlled by hormones from the ovary AND the pituitary gland.
| Gland | Hormones | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Pituitary | FSH, LH | Trigger follicle growth and ovulation |
| Ovary | Estrogen, Progesterone | Build and maintain the uterus lining |
Practice this concept3 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
Example 2 · Human Physiology · Endocrine System and Hormones
Two glands, not one
Summary — formulas & gotchas at a glance
A revision cheat-sheet for the formulas and gotchas above. Click any concept name to jump back to its full explanation.
Reference tables (2)
Hormones — gland and function5 rows
| Hormone | Gland | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Thyroxine | Thyroid | Controls metabolic rate (needs iodine) Iodised salt supplies the iodine the thyroid needs to make thyroxine. |
| Insulin | Pancreas | Lowers blood glucose |
| Adrenaline | Adrenal medulla | Increases heartbeat (fight/flight) |
| Estrogen | Ovary | Female sexual characters |
| FSH / LH | Pituitary | Drive the menstrual cycle / reproduction |
Reproductive hormones and the menstrual cycle2 rows
| Gland | Hormones | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Pituitary | FSH, LH | Trigger follicle growth and ovulation |
| Ovary | Estrogen, Progesterone | Build and maintain the uterus lining |
Watch out for (2)
- Match the hormone to the RIGHT gland→ Hormones — gland and function
- Two glands, not one→ Reproductive hormones and the menstrual cycle
Test yourself on Human Physiology
15 past NDA questions from this chapter, timed at 15 minutes and marked the way the exam marks it. You see your score and every answer the moment you finish. Free to start.