Hormones

Definition

– Hormone is a chemical substance produced in minute quantities by the

endocrine glands
– It is transported in the bloodstream to target organs to exert its effects
– They are eventually destroyed after their functions
functions

– Growth
– Development
– Activity
– E.g. Adrenalin control various functions of organs and muscle in the body
– Thyroxine controls growth and development
– Too little or too much of hormones not good. Hormones should be produced in
their optimal levels
Site of production

– Hormones are produced by ductless glands

– Also called endocrine glands
– Some glands are purely endocrine, e.g. adrenal glands
– Pancreas produce both homones (insulin and glucagon) and secretes pancreatic
juices
– Hormone production of some endocrine glands are controlled by nervous
system and some by hormones from other endocrine glands
– Hypothroidism and hyperthyroidism (growth and metabolic abnormalities)
Endocrine glands and their hormonal
secretions
Effects of some hormones

– 1. Insulin
– Islets of Langerhans in pancreas secretes hormone insulin when blood glucose
concentration is high
– Insulin promotes utilization of glucose by the cells
Effects of insulin on the body

Amount of insulin secreted Effect

Normal Decreases blood glucose conc. by

-increasing glucose uptake by cells
-stimulating liver and muscle to convert
glucose into glycogen
-increasing oxidation of glucose during
respiration
Less -Glucose lost in urine and found high in
blood (Diabetes mellitus)
-muscle lack glycogen  weight loss
-body uses fat instead of glucose for energy
(this produces harmful substances called
ketones)ketonuria
More Blood glucose conc. Decreases
Low blood glucose conc. Leads to shock
Coma and at times death
Diabetes mellitus

– Disease where body is unable to control blood glucose concentration

– Kidney is unable to reabsorb all the glucose and excreted in urine
– Two types
– type 1 and type 2
1. Type 1  develops at early age called juvenile or early-onset diabetes
– Islets of Langerhans unable to produce sufficient levels of insulin
2. Type 2  occurs late hence called late-onset diabetes
– Obese people are affected, develops when muscle cells do not respond to insulin
Signs

– High blood glucose level

– Glucose in urine
– Healing of wound very slow/late
Treatment

– Periodical checking of their blood glucose concentrations

– Insulin injections
– Have to ensure that sugar level doesn’t go very down  lead to coma
– Healthy diet and exercise
Glucometer
Insulin injection administration
Effects of glucagon

– Islets of Langerhans increases the level of glucagon

– Glucagon increases when blood glucose level is low
– Glucagon increases blood glucose concentration by:
– A. converting glycogen to glucose
– B. converting fats and amino acid into glucose
– Together insulin and glucagon regulate blood glucose concentration
(homeostatis)
Effects of adrenaline

– Angry, afraid, anxious, stressedadrenal medulla secrete hormone adrenaline

– Adrenalin prepares body for fight or flight (emergency)
– Response arise is temporary as adrenaline is short lived
– Page 292  try it out
Hormones in agriculture

– Growth hormoneslivestock for milk and meat

– Plant growth hormonesripening
– e.g. ethylene for ripening of banana, orange, etc.
– Seeds treated with gibberelline to promote flowering and break dormancy
Endocrine glands and nervous controls

– Both serves as a means of coordination within body

– Stimulus causes transmission of message to target organs which carries
response
– E.g. decrease in water potential of blood makes more ADHmake kidneys
reabsorb more water