Hypothalamus and releasing factors
A part of the brain that tells the pituitary.
Not enough
Growth hormone is a very important hormone. Suppose its level in the body becomes low.
What do you think happens next in the body?
What this lesson covers
The idea
The hypothalamus plays an important role in the release of many hormones; when growth hormone is low, it releases growth hormone releasing factor, which stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone.
Not enough
Growth hormone is a very important hormone. Suppose its level in the body becomes low.
What do you think happens next in the body?
- A part of the brain releases a factor that makes the pituitary release more growth hormone
- The pituitary stops working
- The thyroid gland takes over making it
A chain of signals
Press Next step.
One step above
The hypothalamus plays an important role in the release of many hormones. Growth hormone is one example.
The hypothalamus plays an important role in the release of many hormones. When growth hormone is low, it releases growth hormone releasing factor, which stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone.
Notes
The hypothalamus plays an important role in the release of many hormones: when growth hormone is low it releases growth hormone releasing factor, which stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone.
Check yourself
What does the hypothalamus release when the level of growth hormone is low?
What does growth hormone releasing factor stimulate?
Which part plays an important role in the release of many hormones?
- Growth hormone itself. The pituitary releases growth hormone. The hypothalamus releases the releasing factor.
- Growth hormone releasing factor — correct. Yes!
- Insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas.
- The pancreas to release insulin. Insulin is not released in this way. The releasing factor stimulates the pituitary gland.
- The thyroid gland to make thyroxin. The releasing factor stimulates the pituitary to release growth hormone.
- The pituitary gland to release growth hormone — correct. Yes!
- The hypothalamus — correct. Yes!
- The medulla. The medulla controls blood pressure, salivation and vomiting.
- The cerebellum. The cerebellum is responsible for precision of voluntary actions, posture and balance.