endocrine system

Hormones are classified into three biochemical categories
• Steroids
• Proteins/peptides
• Amines

Steroid hormones are produced by the adrenal cortex, testes, ovaries, and placenta. Synthesized from cholesterol, these hormones are lipid soluble; therefore, they cross cell membranes readily and bind to receptors found intracellularly. However, because their lipid solubility renders them insoluble in blood, these hormones are transported in the blood bound to proteins.

However, because their lipid solubility renders them insoluble in blood, these hormones are transported in the blood bound to proteins. Furthermore, steroid hormones are not typically preformed and stored for future use within the endocrine gland. Because they are lipid soluble, they could diffuse out of the cells and physiological regulation of their release would not be possible. Finally, steroid hormones are absorbed easily by the gastrointestinal tract and therefore may be administered orally

Protein/peptide hormones are derived from amino acids. These hormones are preformed and stored for future use in membrane-bound secretory granules.

Protein/peptide hormones are derived from amino acids. These hormones are preformed and stored for future use in membrane-bound secretory granules. When needed, they are released by exocytosis. Protein/peptide hormones are water soluble, circulate in the blood predominantly in an unbound form, and thus tend to have short half-lives

Protein/peptide hormones cannot be administered orally because they would be digested in the gastrointestinal tract. Instead, they are usually administered by injection (e.g., insulin).

Amine hormones include the thyroid hormones and the catecholamines. The thyroid hormones tend to be biologically similar to the steroid hormones. They are mainly insoluble in the blood and are transported predominantly (>99%) bound to proteins.

The catecholamines are biologically similar to protein/peptide hormones. These hormones are soluble in the blood and are transported in an unbound form. Therefore, the catecholamines have a relatively short half-life. Because these hormones do not cross cell membranes, they bind to receptors on the membrane surface. Finally, the catecholamines are stored intracellularly in secretory granules for future use.

Hormones are classified into two functional categories:
• Trophic hormones
• Nontrophic hormones