Lab 2: Hormone Target Cells and Primary Effects

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (Target Cells)

Adrenal cortex

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (Primary Effects)

Stimulates release of glucocorticoids (cortisol) and androgens (lesser effect on mineralocorticoids)

Aldosterone (Target Cells)

Kidney tubule cells

Aldosterone (Primary Effects)

Increases Na⁺ reabsorption and K⁺ excretion; promotes water reabsorption and decreased urine output

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) (Target Cells)

Kidney tubule cells

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) (Primary Effects)

Increases water reabsorption, decreasing urine output

Calcitonin (Target Cells)

Bone (Osteoclasts)

Calcitonin (Primary Effects)

Lowers blood Ca²⁺ by inhibiting osteoclast activity and bone resorption

Cortisol (Target Cells)

Most body cells

Cortisol (Primary Effects)

Maintains normal metabolism, promotes gluconeogenesis, and enhances resistance to stress

Epinephrine and Norepinephrine (Target Cells)

Heart, blood vessels, liver, and other sympathetic targets

Epinephrine and Norepinephrine (Primary Effects)

Increase heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and blood glucose; prepare the body for emergencies ("fight-or-flight")

Estrogen (Target Cells)

Female reproductive organs and breast tissue

Estrogen (Primary Effects)

Maturation of reproductive organs and development of secondary sex characteristics at puberty

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (Target Cells)

Ovaries and testes

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (Primary Effects)

Ovaries: follicle maturation and estrogen production. Testes: sperm production

Glucagon (Target Cells)

Liver and adipose tissue

Glucagon (Primary Effects)

Raises blood glucose by promoting glycogen breakdown, glucose synthesis, and glucose release; promotes release of fatty acids from adipose tissue

Growth hormone (GH) (Target Cells)

Bones and skeletal muscles (most body cells)

Growth hormone (GH) (Primary Effects)

Anabolic effect: stimulates cell growth and division, increases bone growth at epiphyseal plates and muscle mass

Insulin (Target Cells)

Body cells, especially liver, muscle, and adipose tissue

Insulin (Primary Effects)

Lowers blood glucose by facilitating glucose uptake into cells and inhibiting glycogen breakdown in the liver

Luteinizing hormone (LH) (Target Cells)

Ovaries and testes

Luteinizing hormone (LH) (Primary Effects)

Ovaries: triggers ovulation and stimulates estrogen and progesterone production. Testes: stimulates testosterone production

Melatonin (Target Cells)

Hypothalamus, pituitary, retina, and other targets

Melatonin (Primary Effects)

Regulates circadian rhythms such as the sleep-wake cycle

Progesterone (Target Cells)

Uterus and breast tissue

Progesterone (Primary Effects)

Promotes breast development and cyclic changes in the uterine lining; works with estrogen to maintain pregnancy

Prolactin (PRL) (Target Cells)

Breast (mammary secretory tissue)

Prolactin (PRL) (Primary Effects)

Promotes milk production (lactation) after childbirth

Oxytocin (Target Cells)

Uterus and breast

Oxytocin (Primary Effects)

Stimulates uterine contractions during labor and milk ejection during nursing

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) (Target Cells)

Bone, kidney, and intestine

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) (Primary Effects)

Increases blood Ca²⁺ by stimulating osteoclast activity, enhancing renal Ca²⁺ reabsorption, and increasing intestinal Ca²⁺ absorption

Testosterone (Target Cells)

Male reproductive organs and body tissues

Testosterone (Primary Effects)

Maturation of male reproductive organs, secondary sex characteristics, and sperm production

Thymosin and Thymopoietin (Target Cells)

T-lymphocytes (within the thymus)

Thymosin and Thymopoietin (Primary Effects)

Promote the development and maturation of T-lymphocytes

Thyroid hormones (T₃ and T₄) (Target Cells)

Nearly all body cells

Thyroid hormones (T₃ and T₄) (Primary Effects)

Increase basal metabolic rate by stimulating enzymes involved in glucose oxidation

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (Target Cells)

Thyroid gland

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (Primary Effects)

Stimulates the thyroid gland to release thyroid hormone (T₃ and T₄)