Hormones
Chemical messengers in the body
Epinephrine (adrenaline)
Thyroxin
Insulin
Sex hormones
Adrenaline
• Produced in the adrenal glands
• Exitement, flight, fight
• Causes dilatation of pupils and airways,
increases heartbeat and release of glucose
Amphetamine
Thyroxin
• Produced in thyroid glands
• Regulates metabolism
• Low levels causes hypothyroidism- lethargy,
sensitivity to cold, dry skin
• High levels cause hyperthyroidism-anxiety,
weight loss, intolerance to heat, proptuding
eyes
Insulin
•
•
•
•
Formed in the pancreas
Regulates blood sugar level
Inability to produce insulin- diabetes
Low levels- hyperglycemia, thirst, weight loss,
lethargy, coma
• High levels- hypoglycemia, dizziness, fainting
Male sex hormones
Androsterone
Cholesterol
Testosterone
Produced in testes
Anabolic- encourage tissue and bone growth
Androgenic- confer the sexual characteristics
Female sex hormones
Oestradiol
Cholesterol
Progesterone
Produced in the ovaries
Responsible for sexual development, menstrual and productive cycles
Menstrual cycle
LH-luteinizing hormone, lutropin
FSH-follicle stimulating hormone
http://www.bioclix.org/default.asp?pg=251&seq=3
Oral contraceptives
• Combination; oestrogen + progesterone –
inhibits the release of LH and FSH- no
ovulation
• Progesterone only- prevent the implantation
of the egg, make the mucus in the cervix
impenetrable
LH and FSH- glycopeptides
NH2 – Ala – Pro – Asp – Val – Gln – Asp – Cys –
Pro – Glu – Cys – Thr – Leu – Gln – Glu – Asn –
Pro – Phe – Phe – Ser – Gln – Pro – Gly – Ala –
Pro – Ile – Leu – Gln – Cys – Met – Gly – Cys –
Cys – Phe – Ser – Arg – Ala – Tyr – Pro – Thr –
Pro – Leu – Arg – Ser – Lys – Lys – Thr – Met –
Leu – Val – Gln – Lys – Asn – Val – Thr – Ser –
Glu – Ser – Thr – Cys – Cys – Val – Ala – Lys –
Ser – Tyr – Asn – Arg – Val – Thr – Val – Met –
Gly – Gly – Phe – Lys – Val – Glu – Asn – His –
Thr – Ala – Cys – His – Cys – Ser – Thr – Cys –
Tyr – Tyr – His – Lys – Ser – OH
Oestrogen and progesterone