Hormones are substances produced by glands and secreted into the bloodstream. They are transported to certain tissues where they regulate behavioral and physiological activities.
The endocrine system produces and secretes hormones. Our body uses it in several ways.
Hormones will only act if they fit. It’s why they’re known as the key, and each organ of your body has a shaped lock on its cell walls. If the hormone’s key fits into the cell wall, then it works.
Once released in the body, they can set off signaling pathways to cause an immediate effect. Your body’s endocrine system is a regulated system. It keeps hormones and their effects at the right level. Proteins and other hormones also regulate the release of hormones.
Organs and glands of your endocrine system
Pituitary gland
It’s found in the brain. This gland oversees other glands and keeps your hormone levels in check. It is connected to your nervous system through a part of your brain. It releases several hormones, like gonadotropins, growth hormone, prolactin and antidiuretic hormone, among others.
Thyroid gland
This gland releases thyroid hormone that relegates metabolism.
Parathyroid gland
It lies along the thyroid gland, and its role is to regulate calcium, vitamin D and phosphate levels in the body.
Adrenal gland
It sits on top of your kidneys. Adrenal gland secretes different hormones, like aldosterone and sex hormones.
Pancreas
It’s an organ found in the abdomen. It makes insulin, which is vital in controlling your blood sugar.
Ovaries
They’re inside a female pelvis, and they release sex hormones, such as estrogen.
Testes
They make sex hormones, like testosterone.
How do hormones work?
Your body needs proteins. Hormones are proteins, just like your cell membranes, enzymes, and tissues. Each nucleus of a cell has a genetic material that controls the production of proteins and genes. The genes found on DNA will only switch on if a certain protein needs to be produced. Now, if that level of protein is high, it’s turned off.
However, before proteins are created, they require specific hormones regulating the genes that turn on or off the inside of the cell’s nucleus. But hormone don’t control the expression of a gene. Rather, it only affects a small number of genes.
Steroid hormones, for example, diffuse from the blood across the plasma membrane that they try to get in. Once they are inside the cell, some hormones will pass through the cytoplasm and diffuse in the nucleus.
When they are inside the nucleus, steroid hormone will bind to receptor proteins to form a complex. Those genes that play a role in the production of the needed hormones are turn on so your body will start creating the substance.
Thus, your body must have the right amount of hormones to build harmony inside your body. If all hormones are balanced, that’s when you feel your absolute best.
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