Tag: control and coordination in living organisms

Prolactin was discovered in non-human animals around 1930 by Oscar Riddle. It promotes milk production in the female. It is also known as a lactogenic hormone. It is produced by the pituitary gland.

Androgens include the male hormones testosterone and androsterone and promote development of male sex characteristics. The androgens promote the secondary sex characteristics of muscle growth, lowered voice range, the Adam's apple, and increased body hair.

Glucagon's role in the body is to prevent blood glucose levels dropping too low. It acts on the liver and stimulates the conversion of stored glycogen (stored in the liver) to glucose, which can be released into the bloodstream. This process is called as glycogenolysis.

Gynaecomastia is enlargement of the male breast tissue. Oestrogen stimulates breast tissue growth, while androgens inhibit it. The important factor is the ratio of active androgens to oestrogens. The ratio can be altered as a result of reduced testosterone production/action or enhanced oestrogen production/action or both. 

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is synthesized and secreted under the influence of GnRH on the anterior pituitary. It regulates the development, growth, maturation of ovarian follicle, pubertal maturation and reproductive processes of the body. FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) act synergistically in reproduction. Under the influence of FSH ovary secretes estrogen. Thus the correct answer is option C.

The major sex hormone in men is testosterone, which is produced mainly in the testes. They are crucial for male sexual and reproductive function. They are also responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics in men, including facial and body hair growth, and bone and muscle development. 

Progesterone is a natural female hormone. It is called as the pregnancy hormone, it is essential before and during pregnancy. After ovulation occurs, the ovaries start to produce progesterone needed by the uterus. Progesterone causes the uterine lining or endometrium to thicken. This helps prepare a supportive environment in the uterus for a fertilized egg. After 8 to 10 weeks of pregnancy, the placenta takes over progesterone production from the ovaries and substantially increases progesterone production.

The secretion of pituitary gonadotrophic hormones is stimulated by gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus and modulated by testicular hormones. At the onset of puberty, the pituitary gland secretes GnRH, or gonadotropin-releasing hormone. In response, the hypothalamus release follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) into the male system. LH enters the testes, stimulating the Leydig cells to release testosterone. Testosterone hormone is responsible for the secondary sexual characteristics like deepening of the voice, the growth of facial, axillary, and pubic hair, and the beginnings of the sex drive.

Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that develops when pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone during adulthood. When this happens, bones increase in size, including those of hands, feet and face. Acromegaly usually affects middle-aged adults.

Insulin and glucagon work synergistically to keep blood glucose concentrations normal. An elevated blood glucose concentration results in the secretion of insulin which leads to glucose transportation into body cells. Glucagon is secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreas when blood glucose is low. Glucagon's function is to cause the liver to release stored glucose from its cells into the blood. Corticoids are also responsible for the regulation of glucose metabolism.