what are hormones?
Hormones refer to our body’s chemical messengers. They are found in our bloodstream, tissues and organs. They are the ones responsible for carrying out different processes in our bodies, such as:
Hormones are made of a special group of cells called endocrine glands. Six of the major endocrine glands include the pituitary, pineal, thymus, thyroid, adrenal glands, and pancreas
- Growth and development
- Metabolism - how your body gets energy from the foods you eat
- Sexual function
- Reproduction
- Mood
Hormones are made of a special group of cells called endocrine glands. Six of the major endocrine glands include the pituitary, pineal, thymus, thyroid, adrenal glands, and pancreas
what do hormones do?
Being part of the endocrine system, chemicals from hormones are able to circulate freely in the bloodstream, waiting to be recognized by a target cell. The target cell has a receptor which will only activate by a specific hormone, in which only that hormone will know how to start the receptor’s specific function. After this process occurred, either the genes will get activated, or energy production would resume its activities. In this process, there are two types of hormones; autocrine hormones or paracrine hormones. The autocrine hormones will act on the cells of the secreting glands; the paracrine hormone will act on the nearby yet unrelated cells.
types of chemicals in hormones
Steroids
As a whole, steroids are sex hormones that is related to our sexual maturation and fertility. They are produced in the testes in the males, and ovaries in the females. Steroids are made out of cholesterols, either by placenta when the baby was still inside the mother’s womb or by the body’s adrenal glands or gonads – after birth.
Cortisol is an example of a steroid hormone. It is in charge of breaking down damaged tissue so that it can be replaced. Steroids are the one which decides on the physical development and fertility cycles of the body from the day we started our puberty till the day we die.
Peptides
Peptides regulates our body functions such as sleep and blood sugar concentration, They are made out of long strings of amino acids therefore being also known as protein hormones. For example, human growth hormones enables the body to be able to burn fats and build muscles.
Homeostasis
Hormones are able to control the homeostasis effectively due to the negative feedback cycles. The body, having a goal to keep the concentration of a chemical for example the testosterone, constant for a period of time, is similar to how thermostats work. Making full use of the negative feedback, changes to the conditions would be made, Causing a response that returns conditions to their original states.
As a whole, steroids are sex hormones that is related to our sexual maturation and fertility. They are produced in the testes in the males, and ovaries in the females. Steroids are made out of cholesterols, either by placenta when the baby was still inside the mother’s womb or by the body’s adrenal glands or gonads – after birth.
Cortisol is an example of a steroid hormone. It is in charge of breaking down damaged tissue so that it can be replaced. Steroids are the one which decides on the physical development and fertility cycles of the body from the day we started our puberty till the day we die.
Peptides
Peptides regulates our body functions such as sleep and blood sugar concentration, They are made out of long strings of amino acids therefore being also known as protein hormones. For example, human growth hormones enables the body to be able to burn fats and build muscles.
Homeostasis
Hormones are able to control the homeostasis effectively due to the negative feedback cycles. The body, having a goal to keep the concentration of a chemical for example the testosterone, constant for a period of time, is similar to how thermostats work. Making full use of the negative feedback, changes to the conditions would be made, Causing a response that returns conditions to their original states.
Sources:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hormones.html
http://argosymedical.com/Cellular/samples/images/Hormones.jp http://www.centerforhealthandhealing.org/images/hormones.jpghttp://www.centerforhealthandhealing.org/images/hormones.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XdtmTVswfos/TkwgzanwXYI/AAAAAAAACXU/X6RKZoxVf6A/s1600/EndocrineHormones12.png
http://www.freemindcuisine.org/images/hormones-work%20(2).jpg
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hormones.html
http://argosymedical.com/Cellular/samples/images/Hormones.jp http://www.centerforhealthandhealing.org/images/hormones.jpghttp://www.centerforhealthandhealing.org/images/hormones.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XdtmTVswfos/TkwgzanwXYI/AAAAAAAACXU/X6RKZoxVf6A/s1600/EndocrineHormones12.png
http://www.freemindcuisine.org/images/hormones-work%20(2).jpg