Endocrine System and Hormones

What the resources cover

This unit sits in the Coordination and Control strand of Biology and natural sciences. Most of the material is mind maps, and they start with the basics. The mind map called Hormones explains that hormones are chemical substances, produced by a gland and carried by the blood to target organs. The Endocrine System mind map moves through the glands one by one, including the pancreas, which produces insulin and glucagon, and the ovaries, which produce oestrogen.

Where to start

Begin with the big picture, then narrow down.

1. Open the mind maps Hormones and The Endocrine System to learn the vocabulary and the main glands.
2. Read the Pituitary gland mind map, which covers the anterior pituitary and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone.
3. Look at topic maps such as Hyperthyroidism, Adrenaline, Control of Blood Sugar and Control of the Oestrous Cycle.

Exam-focused material

Some resources name their course, including A-Level Biology: Hormones, a flashcard deck on diabetes for GCSE Biology, and material labelled Biology 30. Look for these if you are preparing for one of those exams.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a map first, then close it and take a quiz on the same topic, such as Hormonal Control or Human Hormones. Any question you miss tells you which branch of the map to reread. The flashcard deck Module 7.3 Chemical control is useful for short definitions: hormones, target cells, the hypothalamus, homeostasis, feedback systems and effectors.

The page also lists notes, slide sets and flowcharts, such as Endocrine organ functions and Hormones Flow Chart. These suit teachers who want ready-made material to show a class, and students who prefer a different format.

Make it your own

Every resource here was made by GoConqr users, so the style and depth vary. Choose one that matches your course, and try a quiz when you are ready to check what you remember.