Galdican,Garcia_Hormones are Chemical Messengers

Hormones Overview

  • Chemical messengers made by glands

  • Signals particular cells or organs to control body activities

Introduction to Hormones

  • What is a Hormone?

    • Chemical messenger controlling bodily activities

    • Reference: Tidblad & Sävendahl (2024) on childhood growth hormone treatment

Introduction to Chemical Messaging

  • Definition: Process where cells use chemical cues (hormones or neurotransmitters) to communicate

  • Controls functions like growth, metabolism, and mood

  • Hormones enter the bloodstream and travel to targets

How Hormones Work

  • Production: Produced by endocrine glands and released into the bloodstream

  • Transportation: Hormones travel in the bloodstream to target cells

  • Reception: Bind to receptors on target cells, triggering biological responses

Classes of Hormones

  • Steroid Hormones:

    • Lipid soluble

    • Interact with receptors inside the cell

    • Act slowly with long-term effects

  • Nonsteroid Hormones:

    • Not lipid soluble

    • Bind to cell surface receptors

    • Act quickly with short-term effects

Hormone Regulation

  • Feedback Mechanisms:

    • Control hormone levels to maintain homeostasis

    • Negative Feedback: Counteracts changes (e.g., thermoregulation)

    • Positive Feedback: Amplifies changes (e.g., childbirth)

Role of the Endocrine System

  • Regulates bodily activities through hormones

  • Controls growth, metabolism, mood, and reproduction

  • Maintains homeostasis

Importance of Hormones

  • Signalling organs and tissues for functions

  • Essential for development, energy balance, and overall health

  • Crucial for maintaining homeostasis

References

  • Ireland, K. A. (2017). Visualizing Human Biology (5th ed.).

  • Karsenty, G. (2020). Hormone definitions in PLoS Genetics

  • The Endocrine System, 3rd edition (n.d.). Google Books

  • Kumar et al. (2022). Endocrine system discussion in Springer eBooks

  • Ahrorbek et al. (2023). Hormonal regulation overview in Texas Journal

  • Miller, C. (2020). Homeostasis and Feedback chapter summary.