Clinical Chemistry Blog Notes 26B

Hormones

As I did some research over books and some references, it is always stated that most hormones are essential to development and health. Hormone is a chemical substance produced by certain glands and tissues of an organism, and affecting the activities of other parts of the organism.

In humans, hormones are the secretions of ductless glands and certain tissues of other organs. They regulate metabolism, the growth of the body and the activity of it's organs.

Below is a list of some hormones:

Insulin - this hormones is excreted by the pancreas. Insulin is produced by groups of tiny cells called islets of Langerhans. It controls the metabolism of sugar and lack of insulin causes diabetes mellitus.

Thyroxin- this hormone is excreted by the thyroid gland. Thyroxin is the one that regulates the metabolism. A lack of thyroxin in children can cause malnutrition and cretinism.

Adrenaline (or epinephrine) and Hydrocostisone (or cortisol)- this hormones are excreted by the adrenal glands. Adrenaline is the one which gives us extra energy in time of stress by stimulating the heart. During emergencies, this is the one that is stimulated that is why it is possible for us humans to carry heavy things. And as we calm down, we lose this energy.

Estrogen and Progesterone- produced by the ovaries.

Did you know that hormones is not only found on us humans but also in plants and and other animals? Well this is actually true, and too much or too little of any hormone will cause disease and disturbance in a plant or animal.

The two types of feedback mechanism is non steroidal and steroidal mechanism.
1. Non steroidal
The cell surface reacts with the receptor hormone, adenylate cyclase, at the cell membrane. The cobination of the two will produce chemical process (e.g contraction)

2. Steroidal
Steroid hormone will not be reacting in the cell surface. Instead, before the entry into the cell, steroid hormone and receptor hormone must meet and must form a molecule. This molecule formed will become smaller and smaller as they travel. However, if this molecule entered the nucleus, biochemical changes may occur.