Question

List 3 mechanisms of hypothalamic control over endocrine function

Answer 1

The hypothalamus controls endocrine function through mechanisms such as releasing factors, neural stimuli, and humoral stimuli.

Step-by-step explanation:

The hypothalamus controls endocrine function through mechanisms such as:

1. Releasing factors: The hypothalamus synthesizes neurohormones called releasing factors that stimulate or inhibit the secretion of hormones from the anterior pituitary gland, which in turn control other glands of the endocrine system.
2. Neural stimuli: The hypothalamus can trigger the release of hormones in response to neural stimulation. For example, in response to stress, the hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), leading to the release of corticosteroids from the adrenal cortex.
3. Humoral stimuli: The hypothalamus can also regulate hormonal release in response to changes in extracellular fluid or ion levels. For example, low blood calcium levels stimulate the parathyroid glands to produce parathyroid hormone (PTH), which helps increase blood calcium levels.