The Chemistry Behind Responses

Functions and Regulation of Hormone

Endocrine glands are ductless glands, which release their secretions called hormones into the bloodstream. But how do these hormones work? And how do they bring about changes in the body? Let us find out.

All endocrine glands release their hormonal secretions into blood. These hormones, on reaching a particular site in the body called the target site, bring about necessary changes to maintain proper functioning of the body.

Let us take examples of hormones testosterone and estrogen to understand the process of hormonal action.

Hormones known as testosterone and estrogen are produced by the testes and the ovaries respectively. The production of these hormones is under the control of hormones from the anterior pituitary gland.

Hormones released from the anterior pituitary stimulate the testes to produce testosterone, and the ovaries to produce estrogen which is released into the bloodstream. From the bloodstream, testosterones and estrogen reach their respective target sites, where they stimulate various changes in the body at the onset of puberty.

The process can be explained using the given flow chart:

Phytohormones

In plants, growth, development, and response to the environment is controlled and coordinated by a special class of chemical substances known as phytohormones. These hormone…