Hormones

Introduction
• Hormones are body‘s chemical messengers release by body glands.
They travel in bloodstream to tissues or organs.

• Hormones are chemicals that coordinate different functions in

body by carrying messages through blood to organs, skin, muscles
and other tissues. These signals tell body what to do and when to do
it.
 Functions of hormones
1. Metabolism (the way you break down food and get energy
from nutrients).
2. Growth and development.
3. Emotions and mood.
4. Fertility and sexual function.
5. Sleep.
6. Blood pressure.
 Glands that produces hormones

Hypothalamus:
• This gland is located in brain and controls endocrine system.
• It uses information from nervous system to determine when to tell
other glands to produce hormones.
• The hypothalamus controls many processes in body, including
mood, hunger and thirst, sleep patterns and sexual function.
Pituitary
• This little gland is only about the size of a pea, but it has a big job.
• It makes hormones that control several other glands such as the
thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries and testicles.
• The pituitary gland is in charge of many different functions,
including how body grows. It’s located at the base of brain.
• Thyroid
• Thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of neck. It’s responsible for metabolism (how
body uses energy).

• Parathyroid
• These four tiny glands are no larger than a grain of rice.
• They control the level of calcium in body. For heart, kidneys, bones and nervous system to
work, need the right amount of calcium.
• Adrenal
Two adrenal glands, one on top of each kidney.
They control metabolism, blood pressure, sexual development and
response to stress.
• Pineal
• This gland manages sleep cycle by releasing melatonin, a hormone
that causes to feel sleepy.
• Pancreas
• Pancreas is part of endocrine system, and it plays a significant role
in digestive system . It makes a hormone called insulin that controls
the level of sugar in your blood.
• Ovaries
• In women, the ovaries release sex hormones called estrogen,
progesterone and testosterone. Women have two ovaries.
• Testes
• In men, the testes (testicles) release the hormone testosterone. (Sex
hormones)
 Classification of hormones

• Three Classes of hormones:

1. Steriod hormone
2. Amino hormone
3. Peptide hormone
1. Steriod Hormones
• Steroid hormones are a group of hormones derived from
cholesterol that act as chemical messengers in the body.

• Functions
1. Growth,
2. Development,
3. Energy metabolism,
4. Homeostasis
5. Reproduction.
 Classes of steriod hormone:

1. Glucocorticoids
2. Mineralocorticoids
3. Androgens
4. Oestrogens
5. Progestogens
 2. Amino hormone
• Any of a class of chemical compounds that contain a single amino
acid that has been modified into a hormone.
Hormones Secreting glands Functions

increases blood pressure, heart

adrenaline adrenal rate, and metabolism in reaction
to stress

melatonin pineal controls sleep and wake cycles

help to control several body

thyroid hormone (thyroxine) thyroid functions, including the rate of
metabolism and energy levels
3: Peptide Hormone

• Peptide hormones are hormones that are made

of small chains of amino acids.
• The body produces a wide range of peptide hormones,
which circulate in the blood and bind to receptors on
targeted organs and tissues.
Peptide Hormones Functions

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulates the production and release of

cortisol.( increases sugars (glucose) in the
bloodstream)
amylin maintaining glucose homeostasis
angiotensin maintain blood pressure and fluid balance
in the body.
atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) lower blood pressure and to control
electrolyte homeostasis.
calcitonin helping to regulate levels of calcium and
phosphate in the blood
gastrin enhancing gastric mucosal growth, gastric
motility, and secretion of hydrochloric
acid (HCl) into the stomach
 Mechanisms of Action of hormones
• A hormone is a secreted chemical messenger that enables
communication between cells and tissues throughout the body.

• Hormones are released into the bloodstream through which they

travel to target sites.

• The target cell has receptors specific to a given hormone and will be
activated by either a lipid-soluble (permeable to plasma
membrane)
or water-soluble hormone (binds to a cell-surface receptor).
• Lipid-soluble hormones diffuse through the plasma
membrane to enter the target cell and bind to a receptor
protein.
• Water-soluble hormones bind to a receptor protein on the
plasma membrane of the cell.
• Receptor stimulation results in a change in cell activity, which
may send feedback to the original hormone-producing cell.