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Hormones are our body’s chemical messengers which are released in one tissue and to one or other tissues through the circulatory system. Hormones work slowly and affect many different processes including growth and development, metabolism (the way we get energy from the foods we eat), reproduction, sexual function, mood. It might instruct a cell to grow or to stop, or direct a cell to change its shape or activity. In this article, we will look into the concept of hormones and its classifications.
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Key Terms: Hormones, glands, chemicals, human body, endocrine system, Tissue, reproduction
Define Hormones?
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Hormones are defined as important chemicals that act as messengers of the body. Hormones are the chemicals that are secreted by special glands, which are referred to as the endocrine glands. These endocrine glands are distributed throughout the body and help control physiological and psychological functions. Moreover, they are important while maintaining homeostasis in the body. The entire endocrine system is a network of glands and organs present inside our body. It’s almost the same as the nervous system and plays an important role in the functioning of various body functions. The only difference is that the nervous system uses nerve impulses and neurotransmitters for communication, while the endocrine system uses chemical messengers named hormones.
Hormones
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Types of Hormones
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To regulate different parts of our body, we need different kinds of hormones that are to be produced in the body. Hormones are classified into different category including Peptide Hormones and Steroid Hormones.
- Peptide Hormones. Peptide hormones include amino acids that are soluble in water. They are not able to pass through the cell membrane as they include a phospholipid bilayer that stops any fat-insoluble molecules from diffusing into the cell. Insulin is a vital peptide hormone that is produced by the pancreas.
Types of Hormones
- Steroid Hormones. Unlike peptide hormones, steroid hormones are fat-soluble and can easily pass through a cell membrane with ease. Sex hormones like testosterone, estrogen, etc. are some of the kinds of steroid hormones.
Important Hormones
Different kind of Hormones present inside our body include:
- Cortisol – This kind of Hormone is named the “stress hormone” as it helps the body in fighting stress. They increase the heart rate and elevate blood sugar levels within our body.
- Estrogen - It is one of the most important sex hormones present in women which brings puberty, prepares the uterus and body for pregnancy, and even regulates the menstrual cycle. The level of estrogen changes at the time of menopause due to which many challenging symptoms are experienced by women.
- Melatonin – It is a hormone whose main role is to keep control of the circadian rhythm or sleep cycles.
- Progesterone – It is a female sex hormone that is responsible for the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis.
- Testosterone – It is another important sex hormone synthesized in men, which results in puberty, muscle mass growth, and strengthens the bones and muscle. Moreover, it improves bone density and controls facial hair growth.
Main Function of Endocrine Glands
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One of the main roles of the endocrine glands is to secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Hormones are chemical substances affecting the activity of another part of the body, they serve as messengers and control different activities inside our body. Once the hormone locks into its receptor, the message is transmitted causing the target site to take immediate action. Hormone receptors can be within the nucleus or on the surface of the cell as well.
Main Function of Endocrine Glands
Hormones manage the function of entire organs that affect diverse processes as growth and development, reproduction, and sexual characteristics. Hormones make changes in the manner our body uses and stores energy and influence the volume of fluid and the levels of salts and sugar in our blood. Even a very limited amount of hormones can trigger very large responses inside our bodies.
Although hormones circulate throughout our body, each kind of hormone influences only certain organs and tissues. Some hormones might affect only one or two organs, while others might affect our entire body. For instance, thyroid-stimulating hormone, produced in the pituitary gland affects only the thyroid gland while the thyroid hormone, produced in the thyroid gland, can affect our entire body. The majority of the hormones are derived from proteins while the remaining are steroids, which are fatty substances derived from cholesterol.
Conditions Affecting the Entire Endocrine System
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Many times, hormone levels become very high or very low. Any change in hormonal level can impact our health significantly. Some of the conditions affecting the entire endocrine system that bring changes in the hormone levels include:
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism
The reason for the occurrence of Hyperthyroidism is the production of more thyroid hormone than required. Some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism include fatigue, issues tolerating heat, fast heart rate, nervousness, weight loss, diarrhea, trouble while sleeping, and much more.
Grave’s disease is an autoimmune disorder and a common kind of hyperthyroidism and people suffering from the same get attacked with thyroid, resulting in the production of more thyroid hormone than required.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is another condition that occurs when the thyroid is not able to produce enough thyroid hormone. A few of the common symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, loss of weight, constipation, issues related to cold, dry skin and hair, and much more. Patients suffering from hypothyroidism are provided with additional thyroid hormones with proper medication.
Hypothyroidism
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Different kind of Hormonal Diseases
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Many hormonal diseases occur inside our body when there is a malfunctioning of the endocrine glands. Some of the most common hormonal issues are related to the hypothalamus, adrenal, and pituitary glands. If there is a sudden increase or decrease in the secretion of these hormones, then it can affect our overall growth, metabolism, and development.
Different kind of Hormonal Diseases
Hyperthyroidism, osteoporosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Thyroid Disorders, diabetes, etc. are some of the most common diseases linked to hormonal imbalance. Many factors are responsible for the occurrence of hormonal diseases inside our body related to genetic, environmental, or diet factors.
Sample Questions
Ques. Name some common symptoms related to diabetes? (1 mark)
Ans. Some of the common symptoms related to diabetes include fatigue, loss of weight, increased hunger, more urination, more infections, etc.
Ques. Define hormones and what is their role inside our body? (2 marks)
Ans. Hormones are the chemicals responsible for managing and regulating the activities of some cells and organs. These hormones are produced by ductless glands referred to as endocrine glands.
Our endocrine system is a group of glands that secrete hormones into the blood. These hormones travel to other organs and aim to regulate the body’s functions. The endocrine system plays an important role in the overall growth and development, mood fluctuations, sexual function, reproduction, and metabolism. When something goes wrong with your endocrine system, your entire body can suffer a lot.
Ques. Name different kinds of Hormones? (1 mark)
Ans. Two different kinds of Hormones include Peptide hormones and steroid hormones.
Ques. Name some of the most common diseases linked with hormonal imbalance. (2 marks)
Ans:
- Diabetes.
- Osteoporosis.
- Hyperthyroidism.
Ques. Which hormones are produced by the pineal gland? (1 mark)
Ans. The hormone produced by the pineal gland is known as Melatonin and they help control the body’s sleep cycle.
Ques. What is the reason for the occurrence of Acromegaly? (1 mark)
Ans. Acromegaly is caused due to more production of the growth hormone by the pituitary gland, commonly as a result of a benign tumor.
Ques. Why tissues that get affected with Cortisol have different reactions (1 mark)
Ans. Cortisol is a hormone linked with stress. It is released when an animal is scared or is suffering. Different tissues get affected in different ways because different cells process cortisol into different chemicals.
Ques: What do you mean by glycosidic linkage? (1 mark)
Ans: The two monosaccharide units are joined together through an external and oxide linkage formed by loss of molecule of water. This linkage between two monosaccharide units through oxygen atom is known as Glycosidic linkage.
Ques: Define peptide linkage. (1 mark)
Ans: An amide linkage formed between – COOH group of one α- amino acid and NH2 group of the other a- amino acid by loss of molecule of water. This – CO – NH bond is known as peptide linkage.
Ques: (a) How are hormones and vitamins different in respect to their source and functions?
(b) Give one example of
(i) Globular protein
(ii) Fibrous protein (2 marks)
Ans: (a) Hormones are synthesized in our body and helps in regulation of our body systems. Whereas, Vitamins are synthesized artificially in the laboratory or obtained from the food that helps in controlling many diseases.
(b) (i) Globular protein: all Enzymes and hormones such as insulin
(ii) Fibrous protein: Keratin in skin, nails and so on.
Ques: Explain what do you mean by,
(i) A peptide linkage
(ii) A glycosidic linkage (2 marks)
Ans: (i) A Peptide linkage is an amide linkage formed between – COOH group of one α- amino acid and NH2 group of the other a- amino acid by loss of molecule of water.
(ii) The two monosaccharide units are joined together through an external and oxide linkage formed by loss of molecule of water. This linkage between two monosaccharide units through oxygen atom is known as Glycosidic linkage.
Ques: Explain the following terms:
(i) Invert sugar
(ii) Polypeptides (2 marks)
Ans: (i) Invert sugar is an equimoler mixture of Glucose and Fructose that is obtained by hydrolysis of Sucrose in presence of an acid like dil. HCl or the enzyme invertase or sucrase.
(ii) Polypeptides are formed when several molecules of a-amino acids are joined together by peptide bonds.
Ques: Explain what do you mean by:
(i) Peptide linkage
(i) Pyranose structure of glucose (2 marks)
Ans: (i) Peptide linkage: An amide linkage formed between – COOH group of one α- amino acid and NH2 group of the other a- amino acid by loss of molecule of water. This – CO – NH bond is known as peptide linkage.
(ii) Pyranose structure of glucose: The six membered ring that contains 5 carbon atoms and one oxygen atom because of its resemblance with pyron and this is called the pyranose form of glucose.
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