Content
The hormones are substances manufactured by endocrine glands, which when released into the bloodstream produce the activation of some mechanisms, and in this way put into operation some body organs.
In this way, in animals hormones are a kind of messengers that coordinate the functions of various parts of the body, reaching all the extremities of him through the bloodstream, and achieving changes such as the acceleration of metabolism and heart rate, milk production or the development of sexual organs.
All the multicellular organisms produce hormones: these appear in both animals and plants. However, as in the first case, the body has many more functions. types of hormones they diversify much more, while in the second they are limited to a fairly short group.
The animal hormones are the substances that are effectively transported through the bloodstream, and have their effect on certain organs or tissues, on it cell they synthesize either on contiguous cells, intervening in the process known as cellular communication.
Hormones can be natural or synthetic, and are often used intentionally for some health problems. The medical specialty that is responsible for the study of hormone diseases is the endocrinology, and has as the most common ailments that treats diabetes, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
Features
Among the functions performed by hormones, the use and storage of energy stand out; growth, development and reproduction; maintaining blood levels of fluids, salt, and sugar; the formation of bone and muscle mass; and finally the modulation of the reactions of the sensory and motor systems in front of diverse stimuli.
In animals, hormones are secreted by ductless endocrine glands directly into the bloodstream.
Examples of animal hormones
| Insulin | Somatotrophin |
| Gulcagon | Gonadotropin |
| Parathormone | Adrenalin |
| Calcitonin | Follicle Stimulating Hormone |
| Progesterone | Luteinizing hormone |
| Aldosterone | Angiotensin |
| Antidiuretic hormone | Adrenaline (epinephrine) |
| Prolactin | Cortisol |
| Glucocorticoids | Erythropoietin |
| Oxytocin | Melatonin |
| Thyroxine | Estradiol |
| Estrogen | Bradykinin |
| Androgens | Somatropin |
| Progesterone | Triodothyronine |
| Testosterone | Androsteneodione |
In the case of vegetables, hormones are named after phytohormones, and they predominantly regulate the physiological phenomena of plants. They are produced in small quantities in plant tissues, since this class of living beings it does not have glands.
The vessels are those that allow transport in the case of plant hormones, which also establish antagonism and hormonal balance phenomena, which lead to a precise regulation of plant functions: in this way the absence of the nervous system is solved.
Features
The plant hormones They are synthesized by the plant, are found in very low concentrations inside tissues, and can act in the place of their synthesis or in others. Plants at the level of their tissues also produce substances that decrease or inhibit growth, and sometimes the same factor produces opposite effects depending on the tissue where its response is made.
Plant hormones control a large number of events: plant growth, leaf drop, flowering, fruit formation, and germination.
Examples of plant hormones
They are divided into five, and are listed below with their main function:
- Auxins: The ripening of the fruits, the vertical growth of the plant and the flowering depend on hormones of this type.
- Cytokinins: They accelerate cell division or mitosis, causing plant growth together with auxins.
- Gibberellins: They cause the growth of the stem and the leaves, and the germination of the seed.
- Ethylene: Hormones that cause the ripening of the fruits, the aging of the plant and the fall of the leaves, flowers and fruits.
- Abcisic acids: Hormone with inhibitory effects, as it inhibits the growth of the stem.
More information?
- Examples of Hormones
- Examples of Endocrine and Exocrine Glands
- Examples of Specialized Cells
