Types of Hormones in the Body and How They Work - Deepstash
Types of Hormones in the Body and How They Work

Types of Hormones in the Body and How They Work

Curated from: thoughtco.com

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The function of hormones

The function of hormones

Hormones regulate various biological activities, for example, growth, development, reproduction, energy use and storage, water and electrolyte balance.

Hormones are molecules that function as chemical messengers in the body's endocrine system. Specific organs and glands produce them, and then they are secreted into the blood and other bodily fluids.

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Hormone signalling

While hormones in the blood come in contact with a number of cells, they influence only the cells which have receptors for each specific hormone.

  • Endocrine signalling is when the hormones influence specific cells from a distance. For example, the pituitary gland near the brain secretes growth hormones affecting the body all over.
  • Paracrine signalling is when hormones influence the neighbouring cells.
  • In autocrine signalling, the hormones cause changes within the cell that releases them.

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Types of hormones

Hormones are classified into two main types:

  1. Peptide hormones (e.g. human growth hormone): These protein hormones are made up of amino acids and are water-soluble. They cannot pass through a cell membrane. They bind to receptors on the cell's surface and cause changes within the cell.
  2. Steroid hormones (e.g. sex hormones - androgens, estrogens, and progesterone): These hormones are lipid-soluble and can pass through the cell membrane to another cell. Steroid hormones cause specific genes to be expressed or suppressed by influencing gene transcription in a cell.

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Hormone regulation

Hormones are regulated by other hormones, glands and organs, and by a negative feedback mechanism.

  • Tropic hormones regulate the release of other hormones. The anterior pituitary in the brain, the hypothalamus, and the thyroid gland secrete tropic hormones.
  • Organs and glands help hormonal regulation by monitoring blood content. E.g. the pancreas will secrete the hormone glucagon if glucose levels are too low and insulin if glucose levels are too high.
  • In negative feedback regulation, the initial stimulus is reduced by the response it provokes. E.g. the regulation of red blood cell production.

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