Hormones

Hormones Introduction: 

• Hormones are chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands that are secreted into the bloodstream to regulate various physiological processes in the body.
• They play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis, growth and development, metabolism, reproduction, and stress response.
• They act on target cells or organs that have specific receptors for these hormones.
• This above is the brief Hormones introduction.

Functions of hormones:

1. Growth and development:

   • Hormones like growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), and thyroid hormones promote cell growth, differentiation, and tissue repair.

2. Metabolism:

   • Hormones like insulin, glucagon, and thyroid hormones regulate the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.

3. Reproduction:

   • Sex hormones like Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone regulate reproductive functions, such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and the development of secondary sexual characteristics.

4. Stress response:

   • Hormones like cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine help the body respond to stress by mobilizing energy reserves and increasing heart rate and blood pressure.

5. Water and electrolyte balance:

   • Hormones like aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) regulate the balance of water and electrolytes in the body.

6. Sleep-wake cycles:

   • Melatonin, produced by the pineal gland, regulates sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythms.

Classification of hormones:

Hormones can be classified based on their chemical structure:

1. Amino acid derivatives:

   • These hormones are derived from amino acids, such as tyrosine and tryptophan.
   • Examples include thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine), and melatonin.

2. Peptide hormones:

   • These hormones are composed of short chains of amino acids. Examples include insulin, glucagon, growth hormone, and antidiuretic hormone.

3. Protein hormones:

   • These hormones are composed of long chains of amino acids.
   • Examples include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

4. Steroid hormones:

   • These hormones are derived from cholesterol and have a distinct four-ring structure.
   • Examples include cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, oestrogen, and progesterone.

Hormones can also be classified based on their function or the system they act upon:

1. Growth and developmental hormones:

   • Growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor, and thyroid hormones.

2. Metabolic hormones:

   • Insulin, glucagon, and thyroid hormones.

3. Stress response hormones:

   • Cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.

4. Reproductive hormones:

   • Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone.

5. Water and electrolyte balance hormones:

   • Aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone.

6. Sleep-wake cycle hormones:

   • Melatonin.

Here is a table summarizing the primary endocrine glands, their locations, hormones, and functions in the context of the endocrine system:

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