Tag: enzymes and hormones

Estradiol is responsible for the development of secondary female characters. The hormone that dominates female development is an estrogen called estradiol. Estrogen is responsible for development of the female body and the secondary sexual characters. It helps decelerate height increase in females during puberty, accelerates burning of body fat and reduces muscle bulk. It also stimulates growth of the inner lining of the uterus (endometrium) during the menstrual cycle, increases uterine growth, improves lubrication of the vagina, and thickens the vaginal wall while increasing blood vessels to the skin.

Phosphorylation of glucose is increased by insulin. Glucokinase is an enzyme which is responsible for phosphorylation of glucose to glucose-6-phosphate with the help of insulin, secreated by beta cells. Beta cells release insulin in response to rising levels of glucose. Insulin enables many types of cells to import and use glucose, and signals the liver to synthesize glycogen. While alpha cells produes more of glucagon. Glucagon serves as a signal to the liver to break down glycogen and release glucose into the blood. Glucokinase in beta cells serves as a glucose sensor, amplifying insulin secretion as blood glucose rises.

Insulin is not a phytohormones, while cytokinins, ethylene and auxins are examples of phytohormones. Phytohormones are produced within a plant and are essential for the plant growth. Insulin is a peptide hormone, produced within human beings, by beta cells in the pancreas. It regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats.

Hormone is a chemical substances produced in endocrine ductless glands. 

The disease of diabetes mellitus is caused by the deficiency of Insulin.

The hormone insulin is secreted by pancreas. Inside the pancreas, beta cells make the hormone insulin. With each meal, beta cells release insulin to help the body use or store the blood glucose it gets from food.

The sex hormone which controls the development and maintenance of pregnancy is progesterone. Progesterone, female sex hormone that induces secretory changes in the lining of the uterus essential for successful implantation of a fertilized egg. It is secreted chiefly by the corpus luteum, a group of cells formed in the ovary after the follicle ruptures during the release of the egg cell. Progesterone is secreted during pregnancy by the placenta and acts to prevent spontaneous abortion. The hormone also prepares the mammary glands for milk production.

The hormone that promotes anabolism and inhibits catabolism is insulin.
Insulin is an anabolic hormone that promotes energy storage in the form of glycogen, triglycerides and proteins. Thus, insulin promotes anabolism (building up of tissues) and inhibits catabolism (breaking down of tissues) in muscle, liver, and fat cells. It increases the rate of synthesis of glycogen, fatty acids, and proteins.

The hormone that prepares the uterus for the implantation of the embryo is progesterone. 
Progesterone from the corpus luteum is essential for supporting the embryos growth. During pregnancy, the placenta begins to produce progesterone about 6 to 7 weeks after the egg is fertilized. It plays an important role in the development of the foetus, stimulates the growth of maternal breast tissue, prevents lactation, and strengthens the pelvic wall muscles in preparation for labor.

The element present in traces in insulin is Zinc. It plays an important role in insulin metabolism and acts as an efficient antioxidant.