Hormones

A hormone is a special chemical released by one or more cells that affects cells in other parts of the organism. Only a small amount of hormone is required to alter cell metabolism. It is a chemical messenger that transports a signal from one cell to another. They affect many different processes in the body including growth and development, metabolism, sexual function, behavior, reproduction, mood.

Endocrine glands, which are special groups of cells, make hormones. The major endocrine glands are the pituitary (hypophysis), pineal, thymus, thyroid, adrenal glands, and pancreas.

The pituitary gland is often called the “master gland” because it releases hormones that control other glands and such processes in the body as growth, blood pressure, temperature regulation, etc. The pineal gland secretes melatonin that helps to regulate the wake-sleep cycle. The thyroid gland produces hormones that control the rate at which cells burn fuels from food to produce energy. As the level of thyroid hormones increases in the bloodstream, so does the speed at which chemical reactions occur in the body. The adrenal glands produce corticosteroid hormones that regulate metabolism, the work of immune system, and aldosterone that regulates blood pressure, etc. The pancreas produces hormones that maintain a steady level of glucose in the blood. Thymus produces a hormone, that stimulates the production of antibodies and creates T-lymphocytes, which are white blood cells used to combat infection and abnormal cells. So the function of thymus is the maintenance of the immune system.

So, hormones are the cause why your arms are the same length and why you changed from head to toe at puberty.

Hormones are so powerful that it takes only a tiny amount to cause big changes in cells or even in the whole body. Hormone levels that are too high or too low are an indication of a problem with the endocrine system. Hormone diseases also occur if your body does not respond to hormones. Hormone imbalances can have a significant impact on the human health.

The deficiency of any hormone leads to a particular disease, which can be cured by administration of that hormone. The abnormal level of leptin, produced by fat cells, can lead to obesity. The abnormal level of insulin, produced by the pancreas and responsible for the regulation of carbohydrate and fat metabolism, can lead to of diabetes mellitus II type. The pituitary gland in the brain produces growth hormone, which influences an individual’s height and contributes to bone and muscle building. The abnormal level of pituitary hormones can lead to gigantism (if it is too high) or dwarfism (if it is too little).

The endocrine system works with the nervous system and the immune system to help the body cope with different events and stresses.

Exercise 5. Find corresponding definition to the words on the left:

Exercise 6. Answer the questions:

1. What is a hormone?

2. What processes in the body can hormones affect?

3. What are the major endocrine glands?

4. What are thymus hormones responsible for?

5. What are the functions of hormones produced by adrenal glands?

6. How may the hormone imbalance influence the organism?

7. What diseases caused by hormone deficiency do you know?

8. What can lead to obesity?

9. What can the abnormal level of insulin, produced by the pancreas, result in?

10. What hormone does the pituitary gland produce?

Exercise 7. Give the appropriate translation:

Exercise 8. Put the words from the table into an appropriate gap:

Hormones are produced by the cells of …...

Hormones have several …... on the body that are vital to its function. An excess or …... of hormones can significantly influence an individual's normal daily life. …..., for example, leads to a decrease in the body's ability to synthesize and utilize the blood glucose absorbed from food, giving rise to …….

…… also regulate the growth and development of the body. A deficiency in a vital hormone such as growth hormone can lead to severely growth problems in children and even ……. By contrast, excess of growth hormone can lead to …… or excessive height.

Exercise 9. Translate the words given in italics into English. Translate the whole sentences into your native language:

1. Гіпофіз secretes nine hormones that regulate homeostasis.

2. Шишкоподібна залоза produces melatonin that helps to regulate sleep/wake functions, and even seasonal functions.

3. The deficiency of iodine can lead to functional disturbances of щитовидної залози.

4. The immunity in this patient is significantly reduced due to the hyperfunction of тимусу.

5. Надниркові залози regulate the secretion of adrenalin.

6. As the patient’s condition was getting better, his настрій was improved.

7. Hormones are the reason why people change from head to toe at статевої зрілості.

8. Призначення of insulin saved the patient’s life.

Exercise 10. Fill in the gaps with the correct word:

1. ……….. makes hormones that control other endocrine glands.

2. ……….. produces antibodies and T-lymphocytes.

3. Hormones of ………….. maintain the level of glucose.

4. …………………… produce corticosteroid hormones, epinephrine, aldosterone.

5. The hormone, secreted by …………………..regulates the wake-sleep cycle.

6. ……………………needs frequent consumption of iodine for the production of hormones.

7. …………………… produces melatonin.

8. The abnormal level of the hormone produced by ……………. leads to diabetes mellitus.