Video Transcript
The endocrine glands of the human
body are similar organs between males and females. Which of the following is the
exception? (A) The sexual glands, (B) the
thyroid gland, (C) the adrenal glands, (D) the pituitary gland.
To answer this question, we will
need to review what the endocrine system is and the series of glands that comprise
the endocrine system to determine which glands differ between males and females.
The endocrine system is a
communication system that consists of a series of glands located throughout the
human body. The endocrine glands use chemical
messengers called hormones to communicate with target cells and organs and
coordinate responses. These chemical messengers produced
by endocrine glands are secreted into the bloodstream where they can be transported
throughout the body. Transportation through the
bloodstream is important since, as mentioned earlier, the endocrine glands are
located throughout the body.
In humans, all of the endocrine
glands in the body are very similar in size and shape between males and females. These glands include the pineal
gland, the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, the thyroid gland, the thymus gland,
the pancreas, and the adrenal glands. The only glands that differ in size
and shape between males and females are the sexual glands.
The testes and ovaries can produce
hormones involved in the development of the male or female reproductive system. The testes in males produce
testosterone, while the ovaries in females produce estrogen and progesterone. These hormones play an important
role in puberty and in reproduction. So the sexual glands between males
and females differ. And this difference supports the
diverse functions of the female and male reproductive systems.
With this information, we’re now
able to answer the question correctly. Therefore, the endocrine glands
that are not similar organs between males and females are the sexual glands.
