Table of Contents
Hormones are chemical substances that act as molecules of messengers that flow into the bloodstream. Hormones carry chemical messages from the glands where they are produced to cells in various parts of the human body. These chemical messages help to activate or disable cellular processes that regulate stress, appetite, growth, sleep cycle, blood sugar, sexual desire, and sexual function.
The importance of hormones in the proper functioning of the human body is great. They control the function of organs and affect their growth, reproduction and sexual characteristics.
In addition, hormones also influence how the human body stores and utilizes energy and regulates fluid volume and blood sugar and salt levels. Therefore, a small amount of the hormone can trigger an important response in the human body.
What Are Hormones?
The various chemical hormones released within the human body control and regulate the functions of many organs. The release of hormones into the bloodstream occurs in the endocrine glands.
What Is Hormone Function?
Hormones act as a signal to the blood. The blood transfers them to various organs and tissues of the human body. After reaching the target area, hormones bind to the receptors. Once the process is complete, the hormones, in turn, transmit the message that causes the organ or tissue to perform a specific function.
The following are some important hormonal functions:
- Emotional control and mental functions
- Growth and development
- Diet metabolism
- Maintaining a body temperature
- Controlling thirst and hunger
- Starting and maintaining sexual growth and productivity
- Hormone Control
Hormones may be regulated by glands and organs, by negative reactions, or by other hormones. Hormones that regulate the release of other hormones are described as tropical hormones, which are released into the anterior pituitary brain.
- Hormones During Pregnancy
Many hormone levels are affected in the body during pregnancy. Several hormones play a major role during pregnancy such as Oestrogen, Progesterone, chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG), and Human placental lactogen (hPL).
- Chemical Nature of Hormones
Hormones may be classified into chemicals such as proteins or steroids. All hormones in the human body, with the exception of sex hormones and those from the adrenal cortex, are proteins or proteins.
Hormone Features
The key components of hormones are:
- They have a low molecular weight; therefore, they can easily pass through the capillaries.
- Hormones always act with low concentration.
- They dissolve in water so that they can be transported by blood.
- The importance of hormones is that they are not antigenic. They are organic catalysts. Hormones act as coenzymes other enzymes in the human body.
- Hormones, in their first action, cause a limited number of reactions and do not directly affect any metabolic functions of the cell.
- An important feature of hormones is that, once their function is complete, they are easily destroyed, released, or inactive.
- Hormonal activities are not hereditary.
What Are Hormones Made?
Hormones are made up of a variety of chemicals but are divided into three categories:
- Eicosanoids
- From amino acids/proteins (amines, proteins, and peptides)
- Drugs
Hormones are essential for the human body
- Melatonin: Mainly regulates circadian rhythm or sleep cycles.
- Estrogen: This is the main sex hormone present in women that triggers puberty, prepares the womb and body for pregnancy and even regulates the menstrual cycle. Estrogen levels change during menstruation because women experience more uncomfortable symptoms.
- Cortisol: Called the “stress hormone” as it helps the body respond to stress. This is done by increasing heart rate, raising blood sugar levels etc.
- Progesterone: A female sex hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and embryogenesis.
- Testosterone: Testosterone is a very important sex hormone synthesized in men, which causes puberty, muscle growth, and strengthens bones and muscles, increases bone density and regulates facial hair growth.
Some hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine, also act as neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that carry messages between nerve cells in the brain and from neurons to muscles.
How Many Hormones Are There?
Although there are several types of hormones in the human body, they are mainly divided into three categories according to their chemical structure. These are –
- Hormones Found in Lipid
Lipid-based hormones are primarily found in cholesterol, and they share similarities in their structure. Steroid hormones are lipid hormones that are essential for the human body, and they are chemicals called ketones or alcohol. Examples of steroid hormones are cortisol and aldosterone.
- Hormones Are Found in Amino Acids
These hormone levels are derived from the amino acids, tyrosine and tryptophan. Examples of hormones such as norepinephrine and epinephrine. The medulla portion of the adrenal glands produces these. In addition, the pineal gland in the brain produces melatonin, which regulates the sleep cycle.
- Peptide Hormones
The structure of the peptide hormone is similar to that of the polypeptide chain (amino acid chain). A well-known example of the peptide hormone is pancreatic insulin.
Name of Hormones and Their Functions
Here is a list of essential hormones and their functions –
- Insulin: Produced by the pancreas, this hormone helps the human body absorb sugar from food to gain energy. Additionally, it regulates blood sugar levels in the human body.
- Cortisol: A steroid hormone synthesized in the cortex of the adrenal glands. In addition, this hormone is also called stress hormone as it helps the human body cope with any stress.
- Melatonin: The pineal gland in the human brain produces this hormone. It mainly controls the sleep cycle.
- Progesterone: This female hormone is responsible for embryogenesis, the menstrual cycle, and pregnancy. It is produced in the corpus luteum part of the ovary.
Examples of Hormones
- Insulin is a hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas. When released into the bloodstream, insulin helps regulate the way the body’s cells use glucose (a type of sugar) for energy.
- Androgens are responsible for the symptoms of the male sex. Testosterone, the sex hormone produced by the testicles, is an androgen.
- Estrogens are a group of hormones responsible for sexual development in women. They are mainly produced by the ovaries and in small amounts by the adrenal glands.
- The thyroid produces two major hormones, thyroxine, and triiodothyronine, in the blood. These thyroid hormones stimulate all cells in the body and regulate biological processes such as growth, reproduction, development, and metabolism.
- The importance of hormones in the human body is that they help the body to function properly.
Also read: Important Topic Of Biology: Thyroid
FAQs on Hormone
What is a hormone?
Chemical hormones are responsible for regulating and regulating the activity of certain cells and organs. These hormones are produced by the pituitary glands known as endocrine glands.
List the types of Hormones.
Hormones are divided into two types, namely: Peptide hormones and steroid hormones.
Name 3 diseases caused by hormonal imbalances.
1- Diabetes, 2 - Osteoporosis. 3 - Hyperthyroidism.
What are hormones made of?
Hormones are made of proteins or steroids.
Name the hormone produced by the adrenal glands.
The hormone released by the adrenal glands is called Epinephrine. Also called adrenaline.
Name the hormone produced by the pineal gland.
The hormone produced by the pineal gland is Melatonin. It regulates the sleep cycle.
