Pituitary Gland
Contents
Key Stage 4
A diagram showing the location of the pituitary gland.
Meaning
The pituitary gland is an endocrine gland found in the brain and acts to control other glands in the endocrine system.
About the Pituitary Gland
The pituitary gland is found in the centre of the brain.
- The pituitary gland is sometimes referred to as a master gland as it controls other glands in the endocrine system.
- The pituitary gland secretes a number of "control hormones" which act on the other endocrine glands.
- The pituitary gland produces human growth hormone which affects the rate of cell division causing humans to grow during puberty and to build muscle after exercise.
- The pituitary gland secretes anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) which causes the kidneys to produce more concentrated urine.
References
AQA
- Pituitary gland, page 181, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Biology, CGP, AQA
- Pituitary gland, page 207, GCSE Biology, CGP, AQA
- Pituitary gland, page 61, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Pituitary gland, pages 12, 13, 17, 18, 22, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 2, Hodder, AQA
- Pituitary gland, pages 152-153, 160-161, 166-167, 170-171,187, GCSE Biology; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA
- Pituitary gland, pages 73, 77, 80, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
Edexcel
- Pituitary gland, pages 142, 159, GCSE Biology, Pearson, Edexcel
- Pituitary gland, pages 224, 228, 230, 248, GCSE Biology, CGP, Edexcel
- Pituitary gland, pages 77-79, 85, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, Edexcel