Biopsychology: The Endocrine System - Glands

The endocrine system works alongside the nervous system. It is a network of glands across the body that secrete chemical messages called hormones.

Instead of using nerves (sensory and motor neurons) to transmit information, this system uses blood vessels. Different hormones produce different effects (behaviours).

The glands which make up the endocrine system can be found in the diagram below.

Each gland produces a different hormone. The word ‘hormone’ comes from the Greek work ‘hormao’ which means ‘excite’, as hormones excite (stimulate) a particular part of the body.