Endocrine Glands and their Hormones

Topic Content:

Hormones and Endocrine Glands:

Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system. The major glands of the endocrine system include the pineal gland, pituitary gland, pancreas, ovaries, testes, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, hypothalamus and adrenal glands.

Endocrine glands release hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones regulate various functions in the body by travelling through the bloodstream to target organs and tissues.

This effect could be to:

• speed up;
• slow down;
• or alter the activities of the target organs.

A few hormones like thyroxine and other growth hormones exert their effects on all body cells. 

Roles of hormones are crucial in many physiological processes, including growth, metabolismMetabolism is the sum of the chemical reactions that take place within each cell of a living organism and that provide energy for vital processes and for synthesizing new organic material.... More, reproduction, mood regulation, and many others.

After their actions, hormones are inactivated in the liver and excreted in the urine.

Classification of Hormones:

To regulate various functions, different types of hormones are produced in the body. They are classified as follows:

1. Peptide Hormones: Made up of amino acids and are soluble in water. e.g. insulinInsulin is an essential hormone produced by the pancreas. It helps the body turn food into energy and manages blood sugar levels. The role of insulin in the body is to... More and