Anatomy/Endocrine System

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Endocrine System
The Endocrine System is a series of glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream. Any gland that secretes directly into the blood is thereby called an endocrine gland. An exocrine gland is one that secretes hormones into a duct. The pancreas is an example of both kinds, because it secretes different hormones through different channels.

The Endocrine System is the implementation of a system of Endocrine communication. In other words, the moderation brought about by Hormones.

Hormones are chemical messengers, created by one tissue, and moved by the Circulatory system to change the activities of certain cells in other tissues. These cells are known as target cells. Target Cells are as the name implies, the cells that Hormones are meant to alter the activity of. Each hormone has a specific Target Cell type that will have a specific receptor that will bind to the hormone. Hormones are exposed to lots of cells in the body, but is these cells only that will be affected.

Hormones change the activities of target cells, usually by altering the amount or activities of enzymes or protein structures.

Feedback Inhibition
Feedback inhibition is the process that regulates the level of hormones in the body.