Endocrine system is an integrated system of glands, each of which secretes
different types of hormones that travel through the blood.
Endocrine System
The Function of the Endocrine System
Types of Hormones in Endocrine System
Types of Hormones According to the Glands
Hypothalamus Hormones
Hormones of the Pituitary Gland
Hormones of the Adrenal Gland
Hormones of the Thyroid Gland
Hormones of the Parathyroid Gland
Hormones of the Pineal Gland
Hormones of the Thymus Gland
The Hormones of the Pancreatic Islets
Hormones of Reproductive glands
The hormones
travel through the bloodstream, communicate within the human body and bind to
special receptors on the target cells.
Hormones
regulate the vital functions in the body: metabolism, growth and development,
sleep, tissue functions, moods, and others.
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| There are different types of hormones in the endocrine system according to the gland. |
What are the Different Types of Hormones in the Endocrine System?
Endocrine System
The endocrine system is an integrated system of glands, each of which secretes
different types of hormones that travel through the blood.
The endocrine system differs from the exocrine glands, which in turn secrete their
chemicals through channels.
The endocrine system resembles the nervous system as it transmits information, although it differs by the mechanism of action.
The endocrine system resembles the nervous system as it transmits information, although it differs by the mechanism of action.
The endocrine system is slow but lengthy, as it lasts from a few hours to weeks.
But the nervous system is fast but short-acting.
Hormones
regulate the vital functions in the body: metabolism, growth and development,
sleep, tissue functions, moods, and others.
The Function of the Endocrine System
The hormones
produced by the endocrine glands in the body play a large and very important
role in the body's functions, including the following:
- Metabolism, which occurs within the body, including metabolic processes associated with food.
- Initiation, development, and maintenance of processes related to sexual growth.
- Hormones regulate the
speed of chemical reactions in various cells of the body.
- Stimulate some substances to move or move across cellular membranes in the body.
- Stimulate the growth and development of cells and tissues.
- Control of human thirst.
- Maintain body temperature constant.
- Control human temperament and cognitive abilities.
Types of Hormones in Endocrine System
Hormones can
be classified into three main types:
Amines:
These are simple molecules.
Proteins and
peptides: These are made from amino acid chains.
Steroids:
These are derived from cholesterol.
Types of Hormones According to the Glands
According to
the gland which secretes hormones in the body, different types of hormones in
the body are as follows:
Hypothalamus Hormones
There is a
group of hormones produced by the hypothalamus, which are primarily responsible
for stimulating the secretion of pituitary gland hormones preventing the
secretion. The most important hormones under the hypothalamus are:
- Corticotropin-releasing hormone
- Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
- Growth hormone-releasing hormone
- Thyrotropin-releasing hormone
Hormones of the Pituitary Gland
The pituitary gland is located at the bottom of
the brain and does not exceed the size of the
pea. The hormones secreted by this gland include:
- The growth hormone that stimulates bone and tissue growth.
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone, which stimulates the thyroid gland to secrete hormones.
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone, which stimulates the adrenal cortex to secrete steroids.
- Luteinizing hormone and Follicle-stimulating hormone, which controls sexual functions in the body, including the secretion of progesterone hormones; Estrogen in women and testosterone in men.
- Prolactin, which stimulates the secretion of milk in women.
- Antidiuretic hormone, which controls the loss of water from the body through the kidneys.
- Oxytocin stimulates the contraction of the uterine smooth muscle during childbirth and enhances milk secretion.
Hormones of the Adrenal Gland
In the human body, there are two adrenal glands,
one on the right kidney and the other on the left kidney.
In fact, each consists of two main parts: the
first is the adrenal cortex; the second is the adrenal medulla.
Each part is responsible for the secretion of a
group of hormones that can be described as follows:
Hormones of the adrenal cortex: They are
characterized by two main types of corticosteroids: Glucocorticoids and
Mineralocorticoids. The following is their statement:
Glucocorticoids: namely
hydrocortisone, and corticosterone.
Hydrocortisone regulates the conversion of
carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy, as well as its role in
controlling blood pressure and cardiovascular functions.
As for corticosterone, it is combined with hydrocortisone
and controls the response of the immune system and inflammatory reactions in
the body.
Mineralocorticoids: The
most important of which is the aldosterone which controls the level of water
and salts in the body, and thus regulates blood pressure.
Hormones of adrenal medulla: Although
the importance of hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla is less important
than that of the adrenal cortex, it has an important role in responding to
emotional conditions and tension in various forms. These hormones include:
Adrenaline (also
known as epinephrine), responds to stress by increasing strokes and pumping
blood to the brain and bones, as well as raise blood
sugar levels.
Norepinephrine
works alongside adrenaline in stressful conditions, in addition to narrowing
blood vessels in such cases, causing an increase in blood pressure.
Read more: Hormone Interactions with Target Cells
Hormones of the Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland secretes two primary hormones,
Triiodothyronine (20% of the total secretion of hormones) and Thyroxine-T4 (80%
of secretion). It should be noted that triiodothyronine is the most powerful
hormone.
Hormones of the Parathyroid Gland
Parathyroid
gland secrets a hormone is known as parathyroid hormone and works primarily on
bone cells by stimulating calcium into the bloodstream.
Hormones of the Pineal Gland
The pineal gland is located in the center of the
brain, it produces the hormone melatonin. The primary function of this
hormone is to regulate the Circadian Rhythm, which is what happens during the
twenty-four hours of the day, including waking up and sleeping.
The hormone
melatonin is also responsible for controlling the reproductive hormones and
processes associated with the reproductive system. It should be noted that this
hormone is very distinctive, as it is produced only by the presence of light.
Hormones of the Thymus Gland
Thymosin is the only hormone produced by the
thymus gland. This hormone stimulates the development of T-cells that are part
of the body's immune system. When they are fully mature, they migrate to the lymph
nodes scattered in parts of the body. It also helps fight infections and
diseases that humans may experience in their lives.
The Hormones of the Pancreatic Islets
The hormones produced by the pancreatic islets play
an important role in regulating sugar levels and certain salts in the body. These
hormones include:
1. Gastrin:
This hormone stimulates the secretion of acids from the stomach to help
digestion.
2. Insulin:
It helps control blood sugar levels by stimulating cells to absorb glucose.
3. Glucagon:
It acts in an opposite way to insulin, to maintain glucose sugar in the blood.
4. Somatostatin:
It is produced in cases where insulin and glucagon levels are too high to
regulate sugar levels and salts in the body.
5. Vasoactive intestinal
peptide: It is controlled by the secretion of water and
the absorption of water from the intestines.
Hormones of Reproductive glands
Reproductive glands are testes for males that
secrete Sex hormones
known as androgens, such as testosterone. The testicles in men work on the
secretion of testosterone and work on the normal development of male genitalia,
the masculine qualities are generally observed in terms of sound, muscle, and
so on.
Likewise, the ovaries in females secrete two
essential hormones, estrogen and progesterone. The ovaries are located on both
sides of the uterus.
These hormones are responsible for the development
of sexual characteristics in the female in adulthood, as well as responsible
for the organization of menstruation and pregnancy and so on.
Sex hormones
are
also known as sex steroids, gonadocorticoids, and gonadal steroids.