-Hormones-

The science:
Edocrinology (science concerned with hormones)
What are they?:
A hormone is a class of chemicals produced in endocrine glands.
It is transported around the body by the blood.
Hormones serve as a form of communication between organs and tissues
Hormone synthesis occurs in response to biochemical signals in the body.
They are also produced in plants (Auxins)
What are their activities in the human body? :
Digestion
Metabolism
Respiration
Tissue Function
Sensory function
Sleep, excretion
Lactation
Stress
Growth and development
Movement
Reproduction
Mood
How do they function? :
Hormones work in the long term and usually slowly.
They can produce strong responses in organs and tissues.
Some hormones are able to transport around the body because they are water soluble.
Steroid and thyroid hormones are water insoluble and spread by bonding to carrier blood
proteins.
Some hormones activate the moment they are released, others activate in specific cells.
Hormones target tissues and cells by binding to specific membrane proteins on cell
membranes to elicit a specified action.