Why Is the Endocrine System Important for Living?
The endocrine system’s effects on the body are wide-reaching. Its message-sending hormones influence the operations of all of the body’s tissues and organ systems. This centralized role in controlling body functions is sometimes compared to that of the nervous system. But in general, the endocrine system operates in a less rapid but longer-lasting manner than the nervous system, regulating slower processes, such as metabolism and cell growth. The nervous system’s functions, on the other hand, are more immediate, such as the control of breathing and body movement. Although hormones circulate throughout the bloodstream, each kind of hormone affects only its target cells that are genetically programmed to receive and respond to its message. Hormone levels vary and can be influenced by factors such as stress, infection, and changes in the balance of fluid and minerals in blood. When the endocrine system doesn’t function properly, a variety of disorders can arise.
