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Coordination and control - The human endocrine system - Edexcel Thyroxine - Higher

The endocrine system secretes hormones into the bloodstream from glands throughout the body. Hormones travel in the blood stream to specific target organs, where they have an effect.

Part of Biology (Single Science)Animal coordination, control and homeostasis

Thyroxine - Higher

is produced from the , which stimulates the metabolic rate. It controls the speed at which oxygen and food products react to release energy for the body to use. Thyroxine also plays an important role in growth and development. Its levels are controlled by .

A visual to show the location of the thyroid gland in the human body.

The and have important roles in detecting and controlling thyroxine levels.

  1. Low thyroxine levels in the bloodstream stimulate the hypothalamus to release and this causes the pituitary to release so the thyroid releases more thyroxine. So blood levels return to normal.
  2. Normal thyroxine levels in the bloodstream inhibit TRH release from the hypothalamus and the production of TSH by the pituitary, so normal blood levels are maintained.

The control of thyroxine levels by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland is an example of negative feedback.

Diagram of how thyroxine plays an important role in growth and development