• Attention
• Hormones
• Lobes
• Long-Term Memory
• Memory
• Nervous System
• Neuroplasticity
• Neurotransmitters
• Procedural Memory
• Senses
• Synaptic Pruning
• Working Memory

From the Greek verb meaning “to set in motion,” hormones are chemical messengers that trigger changes in the body. These chemicals are secreted by endocrine glands throughout the body. For example, the pituitary and thyroid glands are found in the brain and neck, the adrenal glands are above the kidneys, and the pancreas lies near the stomach. In the pelvis, ovaries are found in females, while testes are found in males. Each endocrine gland releases a unique hormone into the bloodstream. Every hormone has a special function, such as regulating blood sugar, controlling sexual development, sleeping and waking. Once hormones are released into the blood, they find and change the activity of “target cells” in a variety of ways. Hormones might stimulate or inhibit cell growth, alter a cell’s metabolism, or even cause cell death.