What is the overarching function of the endocrine system?

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Endocrine regulation through hormones to maintain homeostasis. Hormones are chemical messengers released into the bloodstream by glands, traveling to target tissues to adjust metabolism, growth, fluid and electrolyte balance, reproduction, and responses to stress. Because these signals act over longer timescales and coordinate many organs, they keep the internal environment stable despite changes outside or inside the body. Feedback loops, especially negative feedback, help keep hormone levels and body conditions within set ranges. For instance, insulin lowers rising blood glucose after a meal, thyroid hormones raise or reduce metabolic rate, and antidiuretic hormone controls water balance. Although other systems influence digestion, immune function, or respiration, the defining idea is regulation of multiple body processes through hormones to maintain homeostasis.