Subject: Science
Hormones are the chemical substances secreted by the endocrine and hetrocrine glands. They are the chemical messengers of the body and affect the growth and metabolic activities of targeted cells.
The chemical substance secreted by endocrine and heterocine glands are said to be hormones. They are responsible for the growth and metabolic activities of the targeted cells. As they are those substances who serve as a means of communication among various parts of the human body in a coordinated way, they are known as chemical messengers. The excessive or less production of hormones in our body causes different types of diseases. Some of the major glands and their functions are briefly described below:
Brief Explanation of Hormones and their Functions
S.No. |
Glands |
Location |
Secretion |
Function |
Hypersecretion |
Hyposecretion |
1. |
Pituitary |
Skull |
a. Growth Hormone b. Stimulating Hormone |
Controls the growth of the body Control and stimulate in the secretion of other glands |
Gigantism |
Dwarfism, More Urination, High B.P., etc.. |
2. |
Thyroid |
Throat |
a. Thyroxine b. Calcitonin |
Growth of the body and stimulates cellular metabolism Encourage Calcium deposit in bone |
Increase in rate of metabolism, Excessive Hunger, etc. |
Drying of skin, physical and mental retardation, etc. |
3. |
Parathyroid |
Over thyroid (Four in numbers) |
Parathormone |
Maintenance of calcium and phosphate level Controls the proper development of bones |
Formation of tumor and kidney stones |
Tetany |
4. |
Pancreas |
Alimentary Canal (Abdomen) |
a. Insulin b. Glucagon |
Maintenance of sugar level in blood Supplies sugar in blood |
Hypoglycemia Hyperglycemia |
Diabetes |
5. |
Adrenal |
Kidney |
a. Adrenalin (Epinephrine and norepinephrine) b. Aldosterone c. Hydrosterone |
Maintain blood pressure; prepares body to face emergency Balance salt in body Balance water in body |
Hypertension |
- |
6. |
Testes |
Scrotum (Male: below abdomen) |
Testosterone |
Develop and maintain male secondary sex characters Production of sperms |
- |
Unable to reproduce |
7. |
Ovary |
Reproductive System (Female: Lower part of abdomen) |
a. Oestrogen b. Progesterone |
Growth of mammary gland Growth and development of female secondary sexual characteristics Prepares uterus suitable for the development of embryo |
- |
Sterility |
Hormones are called the chemical messengers of the body because hormones are the chemicals who serve as a means of communication among various parts of our body in a coordinated way.
Pituitary Gland: A small endocrine gland with the shape and size like a pea is said to be pituitary gland, which lies in the depression of the sphenoid bone inside the skull. It discharges/ secretes stimulating hormones (SH) such as Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH), etc. These hormones help to control the activities of other glands. Hence, it is also said to be a master gland. Growth hormone (GH) which controls growth in humans is also produced by pituitary glands. The under secretion of growth hormone causes dwarfism and oversecretion of this cause gigantism.
Adrenal gland is called the emergency gland of the body as it secretes adrenalin hormone which prepares the body to face emergency situations of emotional stress such as pain, cold, injury, fear, anger, etc.
Pancreas is called mixed gland as it secrets pancreatic juice which is transported to duodenum through a duct and insulin is transported through blood.
Parathyroid glands secrets parathormone hormone which help to maintain the level of calcium and phosphate in our body as well as controls the proper development of the bones.
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