The human endocrine system
I can explain how the human endocrine system uses glands and hormones to control changes in the body.
The human endocrine system
I can explain how the human endocrine system uses glands and hormones to control changes in the body.
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- The human body has an endocrine system that uses hormones to control changes in the body.
- Hormones are chemicals secreted by glands, transported in blood plasma and detected by receptors on cells and tissues.
- Changes in the body can be triggered by an increase in hormones (e.g. puberty) and a decrease in them (e.g. menopause).
- Changes in the body are detected by receptors; the nervous system sends nerve impulses to glands to secrete hormones.
Keywords
Endocrine system - A system that regulates body conditions; glands secrete hormones into the blood that target specific organs.
Hormone - A chemical substance produced by a gland that travels in the bloodstream to a specific organ.
Gland - An organ or tissues that produces and secretes substances, such as hormones.
Receptor - Specialised cells that detect changes in the environment (stimuli) and respond by stimulating electrical impulses.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that all hormones in the body form part of the reproductive system and its regulation.
The slide deck gives specific examples of hormones that are not part of the reproductive system; this includes the example of antagonistic hormones.
To help you plan your year 10 biology lesson on: The human endocrine system, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 biology lesson on: The human endocrine system, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 biology lessons from the Coordination and control: hormones and the human endocrine system unit, dive into the full secondary biology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which part of the blood transports dissolved substances?
Q2.Match the systems to their correct description.
made up of the brain, spinal cord and nerves
made up of glands and organs that secrete hormones
Q3.Which of the following is a female reproductive organ?
Q4.Which hormone is involved in the fight or flight response and is triggered in stressful situations?
Q5.The changes that happen during puberty are because of chemical messengers called hormones. Which glands release the sex hormones?
Q6.What is the name of the sugar that is transported in the blood plasma and delivered to cells as a reactant for respiration?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match each letter to the endocrine gland it is labelling.
pituitary gland
thyroid gland
adrenal gland
pancreas
ovary
testes