Video Transcript
The figure shows some of the main
endocrine glands in the body. Which organ (A), (B), (C), (D), or
(E) is the adrenal gland? What is endocrine gland X?
To answer these questions, we first
need to know what an endocrine gland is. Endocrine glands are groups of
specialized cells that secrete hormones into the bloodstream. Hormones are chemical messengers
that can cause a response elsewhere in the body from where they’re produced in order
to regulate different processes in the human body. Let’s take a look at the different
endocrine glands that are shown in this diagram so that we can identify which one is
the adrenal gland.
Organ (A) is a testis, and organ
(B) is an ovary. These two organs are collectively
known as the gonads. While each of the two testes are
responsible for producing and secreting the male sex hormones mainly, the two
ovaries are responsible for producing and secreting the female sex hormones
primarily. Organ (C) is one of the two adrenal
glands. These glands are responsible for
producing many hormones, one of which is adrenaline that controls the
fight-or-flight response in stressful situations. Organ (D) is the pancreas. The pancreas also releases several
hormones, one of which is insulin that can control our blood sugar level when it
becomes too high. Organ (E) is the pituitary
gland. This is sometimes referred to as
the master gland, as it releases several hormones that can control other glands. Therefore, we’ve deduced that organ
(C) is the adrenal gland.
Let’s have a go at the next part of
the question. The final gland that we haven’t yet
labeled on the diagram, organ X, is the thyroid gland. This gland is responsible for
releasing thyroid hormones, which have a number of different effects including on
our metabolism and even our heart rate. So we can conclude that organ X
corresponds to the thyroid gland.