Hormones are chemical messengers that are
secreted directly into the blood, which carries
them to organs and tissues of the body to exert
their functions. There are many types of hormones
that act on different aspects of bodily functions
and processes.
These endocrine glands are distributed throughout the
body. These messengers control many physiological
functions as well as psychological health. They are also
quite important in maintaining homeostasis in the body.
To regulate various functions, different types of
hormones are produced in the body. They are classified
as follows:
• Peptide Hormones
• Steroid Hormones
Peptide Hormones
Peptide hormones are composed of amino acids and are
soluble in water. Peptide hormones are unable to pass
through the cell membrane as it contains a phospholipid
bilayer that stops any fat-insoluble molecules from
diffusing into the cell. Insulin is an important peptide
hormone produced by the pancreas.
, Steroid Hormones
peptide hormones, steroid hormones are fat-soluble and
are able to pass through a cell membrane. Sex hormones
such as testosterone, estrogen and progesterone are
examples of steroid hormones.
• Pituitary: It is also termed as the “master control gland,”.
This is because the pituitary gland helps in controlling
other glands. Moreover, it develops the hormones that
trigger growth and development.
• Pancreas: This gland is involved in the production of insulin
hormones, which plays a crucial role in maintaining blood sugar
levels.
● Thyroid gland is an endocrine gland in your neck. It makes
two hormones that are secreted into the blood: The thyroid
makes two hormones that it secretes into the blood stream.
One is called thyroxine; this hormone contains four atoms of
iodine and is often called T4.
Parathyroid glands control the calcium levels in our blood, in
our bones, and throughout our body. Parathyroid glands
regulate the calcium by producing a hormone called Parathyroid
Hormone (PTH). Calcium is the most important element in our
bodies We all have 4 parathyroids glands.
, The pancreas secretes insulin and glucagon. Both hormones
work in balance to play a vital role in regulating blood sugar
levels. If the level of one hormone is higher or lower than the
ideal range, blood sugar levels may spike or drop.
Together glucagon and insulin help maintain a state called
homeostasis in which conditions inside the body remain steady.
When blood sugar is too high, the pancreas secretes more
insulin. When blood sugar levels drop, the pancreas releases
glucagon to raise them.
This balance helps provide sufficient energy to the cells
while preventing the nerve damage that can result from
consistently high levels of blood sugar.
Insulin also supports healing after an injury by delivering
amino acids to the muscles. Amino acids help build the
protein that is present in muscle tissue, so when insulin levels
are low, muscles may not heal properly.
How glucagon works
The liver stores glucose to power the cells during periods of low
blood sugar. Skipping meals can lower blood sugar. By storing
glucose, the liver makes sure that blood glucose levels remain
steady between meals and during sleep.
secreted directly into the blood, which carries
them to organs and tissues of the body to exert
their functions. There are many types of hormones
that act on different aspects of bodily functions
and processes.
These endocrine glands are distributed throughout the
body. These messengers control many physiological
functions as well as psychological health. They are also
quite important in maintaining homeostasis in the body.
To regulate various functions, different types of
hormones are produced in the body. They are classified
as follows:
• Peptide Hormones
• Steroid Hormones
Peptide Hormones
Peptide hormones are composed of amino acids and are
soluble in water. Peptide hormones are unable to pass
through the cell membrane as it contains a phospholipid
bilayer that stops any fat-insoluble molecules from
diffusing into the cell. Insulin is an important peptide
hormone produced by the pancreas.
, Steroid Hormones
peptide hormones, steroid hormones are fat-soluble and
are able to pass through a cell membrane. Sex hormones
such as testosterone, estrogen and progesterone are
examples of steroid hormones.
• Pituitary: It is also termed as the “master control gland,”.
This is because the pituitary gland helps in controlling
other glands. Moreover, it develops the hormones that
trigger growth and development.
• Pancreas: This gland is involved in the production of insulin
hormones, which plays a crucial role in maintaining blood sugar
levels.
● Thyroid gland is an endocrine gland in your neck. It makes
two hormones that are secreted into the blood: The thyroid
makes two hormones that it secretes into the blood stream.
One is called thyroxine; this hormone contains four atoms of
iodine and is often called T4.
Parathyroid glands control the calcium levels in our blood, in
our bones, and throughout our body. Parathyroid glands
regulate the calcium by producing a hormone called Parathyroid
Hormone (PTH). Calcium is the most important element in our
bodies We all have 4 parathyroids glands.
, The pancreas secretes insulin and glucagon. Both hormones
work in balance to play a vital role in regulating blood sugar
levels. If the level of one hormone is higher or lower than the
ideal range, blood sugar levels may spike or drop.
Together glucagon and insulin help maintain a state called
homeostasis in which conditions inside the body remain steady.
When blood sugar is too high, the pancreas secretes more
insulin. When blood sugar levels drop, the pancreas releases
glucagon to raise them.
This balance helps provide sufficient energy to the cells
while preventing the nerve damage that can result from
consistently high levels of blood sugar.
Insulin also supports healing after an injury by delivering
amino acids to the muscles. Amino acids help build the
protein that is present in muscle tissue, so when insulin levels
are low, muscles may not heal properly.
How glucagon works
The liver stores glucose to power the cells during periods of low
blood sugar. Skipping meals can lower blood sugar. By storing
glucose, the liver makes sure that blood glucose levels remain
steady between meals and during sleep.
