The endocrine system controls physiological processes and homeostasis through the secretion of hormones. It includes glands that secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream to target distant cells. The major glands are the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries, and testes. Hormones can be peptides or steroids, and have different mechanisms of action depending on if they are lipid soluble or not. Negative feedback loops allow the endocrine system to…
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