In a Nutshell...
The endocrine system
is composed of organs that produce hormones. Hormones are chemical
messangers in the body. Target cells
receive
these hormones, and each different type of target cell has a different chemical receptor.
The main job of the endocrine system is to
maintain
a stable internal body by directly releasing hormones into the bloodstream. It regulates things such as
metabolism, sexual development of a human being,
and also works to maintain water balance and sugar and calcium balance in the
bloodstream.
The endocrine system does not respond to
stimuli as fast as the nervous system, but it has the ability to respond within
minutes of the stimuli with longer-lasting
effects when compared to the nervous system.
A
quick summary of the endocrine system...
Endocrine System Diagrams