Define The Term Hormone

Question 1

What is the basic definition of the term hormone?

Answer 1

They are secretions from the endocrine glands that enter the lymphatic fluid or blood, travel to specific target organs, and prompt them to act in certain ways.

Question 2

What are hormones?

Answer 2

Hormones are are either steroids or steroid-like materials.

Question 3

What are hormone steroids made of?

Answer 3

They are made from cholesterol or nonsteroidal.

Question 4

Give examples of hormones?

Answer 4

• Amines
• glycoproteins
• peptides
• proteins made from amino-acids.

Question 5

How effective are low concentrations of hormones?

Answer 5

Low concentrations of hormones can stimulate target cell changes.

Question 6

Do target cells have influence all cells?

Answer 6

No, the type of target cell influences the precise response. For example adrenaline will make certain smooth muscle cells contract but does not cause other cells to contract.

Question 7

How are steroid hormones diffused?

Answer 7

Steroid hormones are synthesised from cholesterol are insoluble in water but soluble in lipids, which are also known as fats.

Question 8

How does a steroid hormone enter a target cell?

Answer 8

• The steroid hormone diffuses through the cell membrane.
• It binds to its receptor, a specific protein molecule.
• The resulting complex binds inside the nucleus to certain parts of the cells DNA, activating transcription of specific genes into messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules
• These mRNA molecules are associated with ribosomes directing the synthesis of certain proteins.