✋( ห̑‵̮ห̑ )Good day, everyone, /•᷅•᷄\เญญ
Today, we will be discussing a topic in this Blog that my friend requested, which is "Hormones". They are powerful chemicals that control many of our body's processes and the living things. With that being said, I hope that through this blog discussion, we will be able to gain a better understanding of hormones and their effects on our body and in the living things.
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๐๐- ̗̀꒰เฆ☘️⇣↷below↶☘️⇣เป꒱ ̖́-๐๐
What is Hormone?
Hormones are one of the most important chemical messengers that regulate numerous bodily functions in humans. They are produced by specialized cells in various glands, including the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and pancreas, and are released into the bloodstream to be transported to target organs throughout the body.
In this blog, we’ll look at what hormones are, how they work, and the different types of hormones that exist.
Hormones are not exclusive to humans. All animals, as well as plants, have hormones. In animals, including insects, fish, and mammals, hormones play an important role in regulating various processes such as growth, development, metabolism, and reproduction.
In plants, hormones (also called phytohormones) such as auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, and ethylene help regulate growth, fruiting, and response to environmental stresses.
Auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid, and ethylene are plant hormones that play important roles in the growth, development, and response of plants to environmental changes.
1. Auxins:⤵️
Auxins are primarily involved in promoting cell elongation, cell division, and apical dominance. They are essential for stem growth and the development of roots, leaves, and fruits. Additionally, auxins play a important role in phototropism, gravitropism, and tropic responses. The use of auxins in agriculture includes rooting hormone, herbicides, and plant growth regulators.
2. Gibberellins:⤵️
Gibberellins promote stem growth and stem elongation, promote cell division and D.N.A replication, and are involved in seed germination, flowering, and fruit development. They also play an essential role in breaking seed dormancy. Gibberellins are primarily used in agriculture to increase plant growth, yield, and improve fruit size.
3. Cytokinins:⤵️
Cytokinins promote cell division and are essential for the growth and development of plant tissues. They are necessary for shoot formation, chloroplast development, and delay of senescence. Cytokinins are widely used in tissue culture and agriculture to improve crop yields, fruit setting, and stress tolerance.
4. Abscisic acid:⤵️
Abscisic acid is involved in plant responses to water stress and plays a crucial role in drought tolerance. This hormone inhibits cell division and growth, and promotes seed dormancy and maturation. The use of abscisic acid has potential applications in agriculture to improve drought tolerance in crops.
5. Ethylene:⤵️
Ethylene is a gaseous hormone and plays important roles in plant development, stress response, and fruit ripening. It promotes cell death and senescence, and enhances fruit ripening. Ethylene is primarily used in agriculture for fruit ripening, storage, and to promote the abscission of plant organs.
Therefore, Hormones are a general mechanism used by living organisms to transmit signals and regulate physical processes.
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What is hormones in the human body?
Hormones are chemical compounds produced by endocrine glands that are secreted into the bloodstream. They act as messengers traveling through the bloodstream to reach specific target cells or organs, where they regulate the activity of cells and organs by binding to specialized receptor proteins on the surface or inside the cell membrane. Hormones play a vital role in controlling and coordinating physiological processes such as growth and development, metabolism, reproduction, and the immune system.
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Different Types of Hormones⤵️
There are numerous types of hormones in the body, and these can be classified into several groups based on their structure and function.
The major groups of hormones include:⤵️
1. Peptides:⤵️
- These hormones are made up of short amino acid chains and are synthesized in the endocrine cells of several glands, including the pituitary, hypothalamus, and pancreas.
Examples include insulin, glucagon, growth hormone-releasing hormone, and thyrotropin-releasing hormone.
2. Steroids:⤵️
- These are synthesized from cholesterol and are produced in the adrenal gland, ovaries, and testes.
Examples include cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, and estrogen.
3. Amino acid derivatives:⤵️
- These hormones are derived from the amino acid tyrosine,
Examples include epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.
4. Fatty Acid derivatives:⤵️
- These hormones are synthesized from fatty acids and have a variety of functions, including regulating blood pressure, pain responses, and inflammation.
Examples include prostaglandins and leukotrienes.
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How do hormones work?⤵️
The way that hormones work can vary depending on their type, but they generally follow a similar mechanism. The process of hormone signaling can be broken down into three stages: synthesis, release, and signaling.
The first stage is hormone synthesis.⤵️
- Glands such as the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and pancreas produce hormones in specialized cells called endocrine cells. These cells synthesize hormones from precursor molecules and package them into vesicles for secretion.
The second stage is hormone release.⤵️
- The endocrine cells release hormones in response to a variety of signals, including changes in blood sugar, changes in stress levels, and circadian rhythms.
The third stage is hormone signaling.⤵️
- Hormones travel through the bloodstream to reach target cells or organs, where they bind to specific receptor proteins on the surface of the cell membrane. Binding of the hormone to the receptor triggers a series of biochemical events within the cell that ultimately change the cells' behavior.
For example, insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas that signals cells to take up glucose from the bloodstream. Insulin binds to receptors on the surface of cells, which triggers a series of biochemical events that ultimately increase glucose uptake by the cells.
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Hormones in the human body⤵️
The human body produces a wide variety of hormones that regulate many different functions.
These hormones interact in complex ways to maintain balance in the body.
Some of the major hormones include:⤵️
1. Insulin - Regulates blood sugar levels, produced by the pancreas.
2. Glucagon - Raises blood sugar levels, also produced by the pancreas.
3. Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3) - Produced by the thyroid gland, these hormones regulate metabolism.
4. Cortisol - Produced by the adrenal glands, it’s involved in stress response or stress hormone.
5. Adrenaline (Epinephrine) - Produced by the adrenal glands, it helps the body respond to stress (fight or flight).
6. Growth Hormone (GH) - Produced by the pituitary gland, it stimulates growth and cell reproduction.
7. Prolactin - Produced by the pituitary gland, it promotes milk production in women.
8. Oxytocin - Produced by the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland, it’s involved in childbirth, bonding, and lactation.
9. Estrogen and Progesterone - Female sex hormones produced by the ovaries, regulating reproductive cycles and pregnancy.
10. Testosterone - The primary male sex hormone, produced by the testes, responsible for sperm production and secondary sexual characteristics.
11. Melatonin - Produced by the pineal gland, it regulates sleep-wake cycles.
12. Aldosterone - Produced by the adrenal glands, it regulates blood pressure and water balance.
13. Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) - Regulates calcium levels in the blood, produced by the parathyroid glands.
14. Leptin and Ghrelin - Regulate hunger and satiety, produced by fat cells and the stomach, respectively.
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Hormones in the Brain⤵️
There are several hormones produced in the brain, including:⤵️
1. Melatonin⤵️
- secreted by the pineal gland and involved in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.
2. Serotonin⤵️
- involved in the regulation of mood, appetite, and sleep.
3. Dopamine⤵️
- involved in reward-motivated behavior, motivation, and anticipation of pleasurable experiences.
4. Oxytocin⤵️
- known as the "bonding hormone," involved in social bonding, maternal behavior, and trust.
5. Cortisol⤵️
- secreted by the adrenal gland and involved in stress response.
6. Estrogen and Testosterone⤵️
- sex hormones that are also produced in the brain and involved in behavior and mood.
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Good Hormones?⤵️
There are several hormones that play important roles in the human body and can be considered "good."
Here are a few examples:
1. Insulin⤵️
- helps regulate blood sugar levels and allows cells to use glucose for energy.
2. Growth hormone⤵️
- helps stimulate growth and repair of tissues throughout the body.
3. Thyroid hormone⤵️
- helps regulate metabolism and maintain energy levels.
4. Estrogen and progesteron⤵️
- female sex hormones that help regulate the menstrual cycle, support pregnancy, and maintain bone health.
5. Testosterone⤵️
- male sex hormone that helps regulate muscle mass, bone density, and sperm production.
6. Serotonin⤵️
- a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, appetite, and sleep.
7. Dopamine⤵️
- a neurotransmitter that plays a role in motivation, reward, and pleasure.
Overall, hormones play important roles in many bodily functions and can have both physical and emotional impacts on our well-being.
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What is Endorphins?⤵️
Endorphins are often grouped with hormones due to their effects on mood and pain, but technically, they are neurotransmitters, not hormones. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that transmit signals between nerve cells (neurons) in the brain and throughout the nervous system, while hormones are released into the bloodstream by glands and travel to target organs or cells.
Why Endorphins Are Sometimes Called Hormones?⤵️
Endorphins can act similarly to hormones in that they influence mood, pain perception, and overall well-being. When released, endorphins bind to opioid receptors in the brain, reducing the perception of pain and boosting mood, similar to how hormones might regulate processes in the body.
So, although they function similarly in some ways to hormones, endorphins are primarily classified as neuropeptides (a type of neurotransmitter), specifically due to their activity within the nervous system rather than through the bloodstream.
Endorphins are natural chemicals produced by the body, primarily in the brain and nervous system, that act as neurotransmitters. They are often referred to as “feel-good” hormones because they help relieve pain and promote a sense of well-being and happiness. Their name combines “endogenous,” meaning produced within the body, and “morphine,” the pain-relieving drug, as they have similar effects.
How Endorphins Work?
Endorphins bind to opioid receptors in the brain, which are involved in regulating pain, stress, and emotions.
When endorphins are released, they:⤵️
• Reduce Pain: They act as natural painkillers, helping to numb physical discomfort.
• Boost Mood: They trigger feelings of pleasure and euphoria, enhancing mood and reducing anxiety or depression.
When Endorphins Are Released?⤵️
Endorphins are released in response to various stimuli, including:
• Exercise: Physical activities, especially high-intensity workouts like running or weightlifting, trigger an endorphin release, often called the “runner’s high.”
• Stress and Pain: When the body encounters stress or physical pain, endorphins help to mitigate the discomfort.
• Laughter and Positive Social Interactions: Engaging in enjoyable activities, like laughing or spending time with loved ones, can boost endorphin levels.
• Certain Foods: Eating spicy foods may stimulate endorphin release, as the body responds to the “heat” sensation by releasing these chemicals.
Benefits of Endorphins⤵️
• Pain Relief: Endorphins are a natural pain management system, helpful for both physical and emotional pain.
• Improved Mood: They contribute to feelings of happiness and satisfaction.
• Reduced Stress: By balancing stress hormones, endorphins help reduce anxiety and tension.
• Better Sleep: Increased endorphins can lead to improved relaxation, supporting better sleep.
Endorphins are vital for mental and physical health, helping the body to cope with pain and stress and supporting overall well-being.
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Is the stress hormone is a bad hormone?⤵️
The term "bad hormone" is not a scientific or medical term. Hormones are essential chemical messengers in the body that regulate various bodily functions and processes. Some hormones can have negative effects on the body if they are produced in excess or are not properly balanced with other hormones.
For example, cortisol, also known as the "stress hormone," can have negative effects on the immune system, metabolism, and mental health if it is produced in large amounts over a long period of time. However, it is important to note that all hormones have important functions in the body, and what is considered "bad" depends on the context and the individual's specific health needs.
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Does the stress hormone cause harm❓⤵️
Yes, stress hormones, particularly cortisol and adrenaline (epinephrine), can cause harm when they remain elevated for long periods due to chronic stress. While these hormones are essential for managing short-term stress (the “fight or flight” response), prolonged exposure can negatively affect health in several ways.
How Stress Hormones Can Cause Harm❓⚠️:⤵️
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1. Cardiovascular Problems:⤵️
• ❌Increased Blood Pressure: Chronic stress can lead to consistently high levels of cortisol and adrenaline, which raise blood pressure and heart rate. Over time, this increases the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.
• ❌Higher Risk of Heart Disease: Constant exposure to stress hormones can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis), further elevating the risk of cardiovascular issues.
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2. Immune System Suppression:⤵️
• ❌Weakened Immune Response: Prolonged cortisol elevation can suppress the immune system, making the body more vulnerable to infections and slower at healing wounds.
• ❌Inflammation: While cortisol helps reduce inflammation in the short term, chronic stress can lead to persistent low-level inflammation, which is linked to autoimmune diseases and chronic conditions like arthritis.
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3. Mental Health Effects:⤵️
• ❌Anxiety and Depression: Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels are associated with anxiety, depression, and mood swings. Persistent stress disrupts neurotransmitter balance, affecting mental well-being.
• ❌Memory and Cognitive Function: High cortisol levels over time can impair cognitive functions such as memory, learning, and concentration. It may also contribute to brain shrinkage in areas like the hippocampus, which is important for memory.
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4. Metabolic Effects:⤵️
• ❌Weight Gain: Chronic cortisol exposure increases appetite, especially cravings for high-fat and high-sugar foods. This can lead to overeating, weight gain, and obesity, particularly around the abdomen.
• ❌Insulin Resistance: Prolonged stress can contribute to insulin resistance, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
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5. Digestive Issues:⤵️
• ❌Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Chronic stress can affect digestion and contribute to disorders like IBS, with symptoms including stomach pain, bloating, and diarrhea or constipation.
• ❌Ulcers and Gastric Problems: Excessive production of stomach acid due to stress can exacerbate conditions like gastritis or ulcers.
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6. Hormonal Imbalance:
• ❌Reproductive Health: High cortisol can interfere with reproductive hormones, leading to irregular menstrual cycles, reduced fertility, or lower libido.
• ❌Bone Density: Long-term elevated cortisol can reduce bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
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7. Sleep Disruptions:
• ❌Insomnia: Chronic stress can lead to difficulties falling asleep or staying asleep, contributing to insomnia and poor sleep quality, which in turn worsens stress and fatigue.
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When Stress Hormones Are Helpful:
In the short term, stress hormones are beneficial, helping the body respond to immediate threats by providing energy, focus, and physical readiness.
For example:⤵️
• Adrenaline boosts heart rate and increases blood flow to muscles during emergencies.
• Cortisol helps regulate metabolism, providing energy during stressful situations.
However, when stress becomes chronic, the continual release of these hormones can lead to negative health outcomes.⚠️
Managing Stress to Prevent Harm:⤵️
To reduce the harmful effects of stress hormones, it’s important to manage stress effectively through:
• ✔️Regular exercise๐
• ✔️Mindfulness practices (like meditation or yoga)๐
• ✔️Adequate sleep๐
• ✔️Healthy eating habits๐
• ✔️Social support and relaxation techniques๐
Managing stress can help lower cortisol and other stress hormones, protecting long-term health.
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๐Differences the Hormones of Human and Animals๐
Similarities Between Human and Animal Hormones:⤵️
While humans and animals share many similar hormones, there are differences in how these hormones function and their presence in different species.
Here’s a comparison of hormones in humans and animals:⤵️
1. Basic Hormones:
Many hormones are the same in structure and function across both humans and other animals.
For example:⤵️
• Insulin: Regulates blood sugar in humans, mammals, and other vertebrates.
• Adrenaline (Epinephrine): Plays a role in the “fight or flight” response in both humans and animals.
• Thyroid Hormones (T3 and T4): Control metabolism in both humans and other vertebrates.
• Sex Hormones (Testosterone, Estrogen, Progesterone): Involved in reproductive processes in humans and most animals, including regulating secondary sexual characteristics and reproductive cycles.
• Growth Hormone (GH): Stimulates growth in humans and animals like dogs, cats, and cows.
2. Evolutionary Conservation:
Since humans and many animals are part of the same biological kingdom, the mechanisms that regulate life processes like metabolism, growth, stress, and reproduction are often conserved across species. Many hormones, especially in vertebrates (like mammals, birds, and fish), work similarly because of shared evolutionary ancestry.
Differences Between Human and Animal Hormones:⤵️
1. Specific Variations:⤵️
While the structure of some hormones is the same, there can be small differences between species.
For example:⤵️
• Growth Hormone in humans and other species has slightly different molecular structures, which means human growth hormone doesn’t work effectively in other animals and vice versa.
• Insulin: While similar in many animals, there are slight variations in structure between species like humans, cows, or pigs, though animal insulin has been used for medical purposes in humans in the past.
2. Species-Specific Hormones:⤵️
Some hormones are unique to certain animals due to their specific biological needs.
For example:⤵️
• Molting Hormones (Ecdysone):
Present in insects and responsible for controlling metamorphosis, but humans and most other animals don’t undergo metamorphosis.
In humans, prolactin is involved primarily in milk production. In birds and fish, it helps regulate water balance and parental behaviors differently.
• Juvenile Hormone:
Unique to insects, regulating development and metamorphosis.
Context and Function:⤵️
• In some animals, specific hormones have adapted for unique functions. For example, melatonin in humans regulates sleep, but in some animals, it also affects seasonal reproductive cycles.
• Hormones like cortisol and aldosterone, which regulate stress and water balance, respectively, are similarly important across many species but may vary slightly in their roles depending on the species’ environmental adaptations.
In summary, many hormones in humans and animals are quite similar, especially among vertebrates, but there are also key differences, especially in animals that have unique physiological processes like insects or amphibians.
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Hormones in the living things⤵️
Hormones play vital roles in many living organisms, both in animals and plants.
Here’s a breakdown of hormones across various types of living things:⤵️
1. Hormones in Animals (including humans):⤵️
• Insulin: Regulates blood sugar levels (pancreas).
• Adrenaline (Epinephrine): Stress response and “fight or flight” hormone (adrenal glands).
• Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3): Regulate metabolism (thyroid gland).
• Cortisol: Control stress, metabolism, and immune function (adrenal glands).
• Growth Hormone (GH): Stimulates growth and cell regeneration (pituitary gland).
• Testosterone: Male reproductive hormone (testes).
• Estrogen and Progesterone: Female reproductive hormones (ovaries).
• Melatonin: Regulates sleep cycles (pineal gland).
• Oxytocin: Involved in childbirth, bonding, and lactation (hypothalamus/pituitary gland).
• Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF): Aids in growth and development (liver, tissues).
2. Hormones in Insects:⤵️
• Ecdysone: Controls molting and metamorphosis.
• Juvenile Hormone: Maintains larval stages and regulates metamorphosis.
• Prothoracicotropic Hormone (PTTH): Triggers the production of ecdysone for molting.
3. Hormones in Plants (Phytohormones):⤵️
• Auxins: Promote cell elongation, root formation, and are involved in directional growth (phototropism).
• Gibberellins: Stimulate seed germination, stem elongation, and flowering.
• Cytokinins: Promote cell division and influence the growth of shoots and roots.
• Abscisic Acid (ABA): Inhibits growth and helps the plant respond to stress (e.g., drought).
• Ethylene: Regulates fruit ripening and response to stress, such as wounding or flooding.
4. Hormones in Fungi:⤵️
• Mating Pheromones: Used to facilitate reproduction by signaling mating compatibility.
• Cyclic AMP (cAMP): Involved in various signaling pathways, including growth and differentiation.
5. Hormones in Single-Celled Organisms (e.g., Yeasts, Bacteria):
• Quorum Sensing Molecules: These act like hormones in bacteria, allowing them to communicate based on population density, coordinating behaviors such as biofilm formation or virulence.
• Pheromones in Yeasts: Regulate mating and fusion of cells.
Hormones in living things are essentially chemical messengers that regulate and coordinate biological processes, from growth and development to reproduction and response to environmental stimuli.
Conclusion⤵️
Hormones play an essential role in regulating many bodily functions, and there are numerous types of hormones with different structures and functions. Hormones are synthesized in specialized endocrine cells in glands throughout the body, and they are released into the bloodstream to bind to receptors on cells and organs throughout the body. By understanding the role of hormones in our body, we can appreciate the importance of maintaining hormonal balance for optimal health and wellness.
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If you are in smartphone view version and cannot understand English❓ Click this word "View web Version" or tap "View web Version" below under the Home button to proceed the web version, then pinch zoom in and see BLOGSITE TRANSLATOR then click or tap the "SELECT LANGUAGE" alphabetically below and choose your language to translate.
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For Pilipino viewers:⇢【Naiintindihan ko ang iba kong kababayan na hindi maintindihan ang English, para sa inyo ito ang feature button na ito☙⇢i-Click ang word na itong๐⇢"VIEW WEB VERSION" or i-tap ang ๐⇢"VIEW VIEW VERSION" below sa baba ng ๐⇢HOME button para mapunta sa Web Version. Kung nasa "WEB VIEW VERSION" ka na ay pinch to zoom in pagkatapos ay i-click or pindutin ang "BLOGSITE TRANSLATOR" tapos pindutin ang "SELECT LANGUAGE" piliin ang gustong lenguwahe alphabetically,"BIKOL", "CEBUANO", "FILIPINO", "HILIGAYNON", "ILOKANO", "KAPAMAPANGAN", "PANGASINAN", "WARAY" para i-translate sa TAGALOG, BIKOL, CEBUANO, HILIGAYNON, ILOKANO, KAPAMAPANGAN, PANGASINAN, WARAY para maintindihan.】Enjoy Reading๐
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