Steady secretion of this hormone maintains the production of ener

SOLUTION

The Endocrine System:

• The endocrine glands play a crucial role in our development and behavior.
• They secrete specific chemical substances, called hormones, which control some of our behaviors.
• These glands are called ductless glands or endocrine glands because they do not have any duct (unlike other glands) to send their secretions to specific places. Hormones are circulated by the bloodstream.
• The endocrine glands form the endocrine system of the body. This system works in conjunction with different parts of the nervous system. The whole system is thus known as the neuroendocrine system. 

The major endocrine glands of the body:

Thyroid Gland:

• This gland produces thyroxin which influences the body’s metabolic rate.
• The optimum amount of thyroxin is secreted and regulated by an anterior pituitary hormone, the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH).
• The steady secretion of this hormone maintains the production of energy, consumption of oxygen, and elimination of wastes in body cells.
• On the other hand, the underproduction of thyroxin leads to physical and psychological lethargy. If the thyroid gland is removed in young animals, their growth is stunted and they fail to develop sexually.

Adrenal Gland:

• This gland has two parts, the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla, each secreting different hormones.
• The secretion of the adrenal cortex is controlled and regulated by Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone (ACTH) secreted by the anterior pituitary gland.
• When the secretion of the adrenal cortex goes down, the anterior pituitary gets the message and increases the secretion of ACTH, which stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete more hormones.
• The adrenal cortex secretes a group of hormones, called corticoids, which are utilized by the body for a number of physiological purposes, e.g., regulation of minerals in the body, particularly sodium, potassium, and chlorides.
• Any disturbance in its function seriously affects the functions of the nervous system. 

Pancreas:

• The pancreas has a primary role in the digestion of food, but it also secretes a hormone known as insulin.
• Insulin helps the liver to break down glucose for use by the body or for storage as glycogen by the liver.
• When insulin is not secreted in the proper amount, people develop a disease, called diabetic Mellitus or simply diabetes. 

Hence, the Steady secretion of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) maintains the production of energy consumption of oxygen and the elimination of wastes in body cells.