Hormones

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In this module, the students overview about the concepts of hormones and how hormones
differ from neurotransmitters. The students also learn what gland is responsible and when to find these
glands. The students also inculcate on how these hormones are released in the bloodstream in order to
maintain the homeostasis.

Objectives:
At the end of this module, the learners should be able to :

1. define hormones.

2. locate the different glands found inside the human boy.

3. Inculcate on how these glands produce hormones.

4. inculcate on how these glands are released.

5. Examine how these hormones are important to us.

Learning Activities:

A. Lecture
● Definition
● Neurotransmitters and Hormones
● Glands
● Functions
B. Face to Face Learning Activities
● Class Discussion
● Brainstorming
● Message Relay Game
● A 20 item short Quiz
● Analyzing on How Hormones Affect Mood,Growth, and Behaviors

References:

Alpana & Chaudhuri, M. ( 2018)Hormones and Neurotransmitters . Difference and

Similarities. Retrieved from https://medium.com/the-biochemists/hormones-and-
neurotransmitters-the differences-and-curious-similarities-46c6095b825

Hamid, A. & Nizar N. ( 2018), Hormones - an Overview. Retrieved from

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/hormones

Hershman, J.(2020) Overview of the Thyroid Gland. Retrieved from

https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/hormonal-and-metabolic-disorders/thyroid-
gland disorders/overview-of-the-thyroid-
gland?fbclid=IwAR17jFk2_0puKyW48qWUd1tI

Moris, D.( 2018) How Insulin and Glucagon Work. Retrieved from
https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/insulin-and
glucagon?fbclid=IwAR27rIvX7G5StHXB3QFBTUm5TnFu9IBQvXTrxzMkJW_ZeNVFM0iGSYk1RJ

Nelson,R. (2018) Hormones and Behavior. Retrieved from

https://nobaproject.com/modules/hormones-
behavior?fbclid=IwAR3phzjwwi3phGKZKLpwP StaGNiMT5HOn61-4IgmPj4bwRtdq1I-
fP9Pno

Sargis, R.(2022) All About the Adrenal Glands. Retrieved from

https://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/overview-adrenal
glands?fbclid=IwAR3ktbpoEmlpnSqeC3iBOvCDdT3a3mI7vsmQiOupobkLV_MxLKzmwbKb-sc

Sargis,R.( 2015) An Overview of the Testes. Retrieved from

https://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/overview
testes?fbclid=IwAR1aZIS4PdkaKocB80Fz7cllYbleCE3W-m5Ab-xlFoC2p6FJQQsRon_5aq0

Sargis, R.( 2015) An Overview of the Ovaries. Retrieved from

https://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/overview
ovaries?fbclid=IwAR0JSVZWS2oAGLAaOeDrOviIHxNbEcvR9KvnniFbxcM-Shd6a9nHAV6euIY

Sargis, R. ( 2014) An Overview of the Pineal Gland. Retrieved from

https://www.ehttps://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/overview-adrenal
glands?fbclid=IwAR3ktbpoEmlpnSqeC3iBOvCDdT3a3mI7vsmQiOupobkLV_MxLKzmwb-s
 Introduction:

Humans grow from children into adults and pass through a stage known as adolescence. This
adolescent stage has major biological, environmental, and social changes. One factor of changes are
caused by hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers released from the endocrine glands that travel
into the blood system and influence the nervous system used to regulate and maintain the homeostasis of
the human body and influence human behaviour. Hormone build bodies become taller, shape changes,
and the formation of hair. The hormones released by the body are forces or conductors that influence the
body parts what to do. Our bodies are made up of different organ systems and these systems carry these
conductors and bring the messages to the other parts of the body, command and order to grow or to stop
growing. These hormones affect human gene expression or cell activity and affect behaviours through the
presence of stimuli. Hormones are chemical messengers that initiate, stops, or modulate cellular
processes

In this module, you will learn the different hormones which are released by the endocrine glands
and how it affects human behaviour.

Definition:

Hormones are chemical messengers that come

from one part of the body that is within the circulation and
are brought to the target organs and tissues to modify
their structures and functions. Endocrine glands are the
one secreted these chemicals all throughout the body.
These chemical messengers control physiological
functions and also psychological health. These hormones
released from the endocrine glands neutralized the
homeostasis of the body. Hormones are used for
metabolism, growth, reproduction, immunity, development,
and behaviours.

Endocrine system is a system of the body that

secretes endocrine glands responsible to release
hormones. The endocrine system it influence all over the
cell, organ, and functions of the human body. Endocrine
came from the word “endon” means within” and “krinein”
which means to release while hormone came from Greek word” hormon” means “to excite”. Hormones are
like neurotransmitters, these are chemicals used by the nervous system to coordinate human activities.
But the difference is that the hormone can function over a much longer period of time compared to the
neurotransmitters. These hormones influence human behaviours.

The endocrine glands release chemicals known as hormones. These hormones pass through the
bloodstream and communicate with the human body through their target organs that change or affect the
cell. The hormones that change or affect the cell of their surrounding tissues( paracrine effect).The
endocrine system works together with the nervous system and immunity in order for our body to cope with
different events and stresses. The endocrine system regulates how much hormones are being released.
Too much or too little of hormones harms the human body. Medical advice is necessary if not regulated
normally.

A hormone acts as a key and the target site (like organ) with a specialized shape and locks on the
cell walls. If this hormone fits the cell wall, it will work. The endocrine system regulates and keeps the
human body at the right level. The release of hormones affects the other organs and these effects to the
other organs feed back to the original signal and control the further hormone release. Most of the
hormones are regulated by the feedback mechanism. The hormone feeds back to decrease its own
 production which is known as negative feedback. The negative feedback neutralizes the extreme
production. Positive feedback is less common because it makes the condition too extreme. The endocrine
glands release hormones into the bloodstream and these hormones travel into the cells and to the other
parts of the body.
Hormones are released depends on signalling effects and these are classified into
the following:

1. Autocrine - This hormone acts according to the cell that secretes it.
2. Paracrine - This hormone acts nearby without entering into the bloodstream.
3. Intracrine - This hormone produced within the cell and acts intracellular meaning inside the cell.
4. Endocrine - This hormone is released into the bloodstream from its endocrine glands.

Hormones produced by in the body are classified into:

1. Peptide hormones - made up of amino acids which are soluble in water. These hormones
are unable to pass through the cell membrane made up of phospholipid bilayer and stops
the fat – insoluble molecules through diffusion into the cell. Example is insulin which is
produced by the pancreas.
2. Steroid hormones - these hormones are fat -soluble molecules are able to pass through the
cell membrane. Examples of steroid hormones are testosterone, estrogen, and
progesterone.

Nature of Hormones action

1. Local hormones- these are hormones that have a local effect through paracrine
secretion. Example of a local hormone is testosterone.

2. General hormones - these are hormones transported into the bloodstream into the target
tissue or organs. Examples are the thyroid hormones and insulin.

The Difference between Neurotransmitters and Hormones

NEUROTRANSMITTER Hormone

1. Location Nervous System Endocrine System

2. Transmission Synaptic Cleft Blood

3. Source Neurons Endocrine Glands

4. Action Fast ( milliseconds) Long period ( few seconds to few days

5. Example Acetylcholine, Dopamine Parathyroid hormone (PTH), Insulin

 Endocrine Glands, Hormones Released and Each Function

1. Pancreas – a part of the endocrine system and also with the digestive system. This pancreas
secretes hormones into the bloodstream to regulate blood glucose levels. If there is an
increased level of glucose, the insulin is stimulated. Liver and muscle cells store the excess
glucose which is known as glycogen. This glycogen is used by the body for fuel or if there is
depletion of glucose. If there is a decreased level of glucose into the bloodstream, the stored
energy is converted into glucose to increase through the presence of glucagon, released by the
pancreas. This hormone signals the liver and muscle cells to change this glycogen and back to
glucose. These cells release the glucose into the bloodstream that is used for energy. The
regulation of these hormones are continuously done to maintain the homeostasis in the blood
glucose.

2. Thyroid gland- a gland that produces a thyroid hormone responsible to produce thyroid
hormones and regulates the body’s metabolic rate. This hormone regulates, controls heart rate,
muscle, and digestive functions. This hormone is also necessary for brain development and
maintaining bone functions. The normal regulation depends on the good supply of the iodine in
the food that we eat. The thyroid hormone is used to extract and absorb iodine from the blood
and go with the thyroid hormones. Thyroxine is the hormone produced by the thyroid gland. If
there is a decreased level of thyroxine causes hypothyroidism and the increased level is
hyperthyroidism.

3. Parathyroid gland - produce the hormone parathyroid hormone that regulates the calcium
levels in the blood. The regulation of the blood calcium to prevent muscle and nerve problems.

4. Adrenal glands – ( suprarenal gland) which is found at the top of the each kidney. These
suprarenal glands are divided into two distinct parts

a. Adrenal cortex - the outer part which are responsible to create the three types of hormones.
Which are

1. Mineraloconrticoids – that one that conserves sodium in the body.

2. Glucocorticoids – increases the glucose levels.
3. Gonadocorticoids – regulates sex hormones like estrogen.
b. Adrenal medulla- the inner part is the adrenal medulla.

 The adrenal medulla produces hormones epinephrine (adrenaline) and

norepinephrine (noradrenaline) during stress. The epinephrine { adrenaline)
increases the heart rate and rapid response to the blood and into the
muscles and into the brain.
 It helps to regulate blood glucose if there is an increased level of glucose and is converted
into glycogen. Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) This is responsible for increasing blood pressure.
The cortisol regulates body metabolism and aldosterone regulates and controls blood pressure.

5. Pineal gland- a gland that releases the hormone melatonin. This hormone regulates the
sleep and wake cycle.

6. Testicles( testes) -secrete the male reproductive hormones androgen and testosterone
used secondary sexual characteristics, sperm cell production, and sexual behaviour.

7. Ovaries- secrete female reproductive hormones, estrogen and progesterone. These hormones
are responsible for secondary sexual changes and for female pregnancy. Prepares female
pregnancy