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Hormones and Their Function

The document discusses several hormones and their functions, including thyroxine which controls metabolism, insulin which regulates blood sugar, adrenaline which triggers the fight-or-flight response, progesterone which prepares the uterus for pregnancy, estrogens which play important roles in female sexual development and reproduction, and testosterone which regulates male sexual development and fertility.

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38 views1 page

Hormones and Their Function

The document discusses several hormones and their functions, including thyroxine which controls metabolism, insulin which regulates blood sugar, adrenaline which triggers the fight-or-flight response, progesterone which prepares the uterus for pregnancy, estrogens which play important roles in female sexual development and reproduction, and testosterone which regulates male sexual development and fertility.

Uploaded by

Tami
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Hormones and their Function/Effects

The main function of endocrine glands is to secrete hormones directly into the bloodstream. Hormones are
chemical substances that affect the activity of another part of the body (target site). In essence, hormones serve
as messengers, controlling and coordinating activities throughout the body. The hormones released into the
bloodstream travel to cells in other parts of the body. The endocrine hormones help control mood, growth and
development, the way our organs work, metabolism, and reproduction. The endocrine system regulates how
much of each hormone is released.

 The thyroid gland in your neck makes a hormone called thyroxine. Thyroxine controls how much energy
your body uses (the metabolic rate). It's also involved in digestion, how your heart and muscles work,
brain development and bone health. The malfunction of the thyroid results in the condition called
cretinism or hypothyroidism.
 Insulin is a hormone secreted by your pancreas. Its main role is to regulate the amount of nutrients
circulating in your bloodstream. Although insulin is mostly implicated in blood sugar management, it
also affects fat and protein metabolism. Insulin helps your body turn blood sugar (glucose) into energy.
It also helps your body store it in your muscles, fat cells, and liver to use later, when your body needs it.
After you eat, your blood sugar (glucose) rises. This rise in glucose triggers your pancreas to
release insulin into the bloodstream.
 Adrenaline is produced by the adrenal glands and triggers the body's fight-or-flight response. This
reaction causes air passages to dilate to provide the muscles with the oxygen they need to either fight
danger or flee. Adrenaline also triggers the blood vessels to contract to re-direct blood toward major
muscle groups, including the heart and lungs. Key actions of adrenaline include increasing the heart rate,
increasing blood pressure, expanding the air passages of the lungs, enlarging the pupil in the eye,
redistributing blood to the muscles and altering the body's metabolism, so as to maximise blood glucose
levels (primarily for the brain). Adrenaline helps your body react more quickly. It makes the heart beat
faster, increases blood flow to the brain and muscles, and stimulates the body to make sugar to use for
fuel. When adrenaline is released suddenly, it's often referred to as an adrenaline rush.
 Progesterone is a hormone released by the corpus luteum in the ovary. It plays important roles in the
menstrual cycle and in maintaining the early stages of pregnancy. It may also be involved in the growth
of certain cancers. Progesterone prepares the endometrium for the potential of pregnancy after ovulation.
It triggers the lining to thicken to accept a fertilized egg. It also prohibits the muscle contractions in
the uterus that would cause the body to reject an egg. Progesterone is a hormone that stimulates and
regulates important functions, playing a role in maintaining pregnancy, preparing the body for
conception and regulating the monthly menstrual cycle.
 Oestrogens are a group of hormones that play an important role in the normal sexual and reproductive
development in women. They are also sex hormones. The woman's ovaries make most
oestrogen hormones, although the adrenal glands and fat cells also make small amounts of
the hormones. Oestrogen produced by the ovary, is a category of sex hormone responsible for the
development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex
characteristics. Oestrogen helps control the menstrual cycle and is important for
childbearing. Oestrogen also has other functions: Keeps cholesterol in control. Protects bone health for
both women and men.
 Testosterone is a sex hormone produced by the testes that plays important roles in the body. In men, it's
thought to regulate sex drive (libido), bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass and strength, and
the production of red blood cells and sperm. Testosterone is the key male sex hormone that regulates
fertility, muscle mass, fat distribution, and red blood cell production.

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