What are hormones?
Hormones are substances that the body itself produces and regulate many functions of the body and influence processes. So they can turn or just slowing down organs and tissues. However, the organ or tissue have to be specific receptors (receivers) have for the hormone. Hormones affect both long-term body processes, such as growth or maturation of gametes as faster-acting body processes such as blood pressure . This is as hormones are transported in your blood and also stay long there. Eventually hormones degraded in the liver. Much faster working processes - such as moving a muscle - are controlled by nerves. These products can emit short signals.
Function of hormones
Hormones are involved in various processes and functions in your body:
Reproduction. For example, female hormones are involved in menstruation, pregnancy and menopause transition or male hormones and are involved in the production of sperm cells.
Metabolism.
Growth and development.
Digestion.
Fluid and salt.
Storage and consumption of food reserves.
Behavior, feelings and emotions. For example, hormones and stress have been linked.
Organ functions.
Regulation of hormones
Your hormones and the organs that produce hormones are collectively called the endocrine system. The various glands in our body make different hormones. However, these hormones are often also affect other glands, and making other hormones. In most cases, there is even a so-called "feedback mechanism '. A large amount of a particular hormone can ensure that the same hormone is made less. An example of this is what the pituitary secretes the hormone TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). If the amount of TSH is rising, this thereby inhibits the production of thyroid hormone from the thyroid gland.
In addition to the hormones themselves, the nervous system is also involved in the regulation of hormones.
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