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When the two systems work together, referred to as the neuroendocrine system, they
perform the same general functions: communication, integration, and control
IIn the
h endocrine
d i system, secreting i cellsll sendd hormone
h molecules
l l by b the
h blood
bl d to specific
ifi
target cells contained in target tissues or target organs
Endocrine action: the hormone is distributed in blood and binds to distant target cells.
Paracrine action: the hormone acts locally by diffusing from its source to target cells in the
neighborhood.
Autocrine action: the hormone acts on the same cell that produced it.
How hormones work
General principles of hormone action
Hormones signal a cell by binding to the target cell’s specific receptors in a“lock
and key
key” mechanism
Different hormone receptor interactions produce different regulatory changes
within the target cell through chemical reactions
Hormone structure
• Based on their chemical structure hormones
are classified into three general classes
(groups) of hormones.
– 1) Amino acid derivatives hormones e.g. epinephrine
• Structurally similar to amino acids
– 2) Peptide hormones e.g. insulin
• Chains of amino acids
– 3) Lipid derivatives hormones e.g. eicosanoids and
steroid
t id h hormones ((prostaglandin
t l di iis an example
l off a
steroid hormone)
A Structural Classification of
Hormones
Hormones Transportation
• Hormones can be
– Freely circulating
• Rapidly removed from bloodstream
– Bound to transport proteins e.g. albumin or
globulin
Mechanisms of hormone action
• Each hormone’s shape is specific and can
be recognized by the corresponding target
cells