What You need to know about the roles of the Hormones?
Hormones are chemicals produced by various glands that are strategically placed all over our body . Messages from the brain activate various glands causing them to send hormones as a driving force to various parts of the body. The various glands which secrete hormones are Adrenal Glands, Gonads, Hypothalamus, pancreas, pineal glands, pituitary glands, prostate, thyroid gland and thymus. Each of these glands has a specific task and they control human behavior with their secretions.
Hormones are produced by the glands as a response to commands from the brain. In emergency situations where quick actions are needed, the brain commands the release of adrenaline. It sets the heart beating faster and increases our rate of breathing. This in turn enables us to react in dangerous or stressful situations. The purpose of hormones is to make the body work perfectly and seek self survival.
Role of different hormones secreting glands in our body:
- Adrenal glands are placed on top of the kidneys and they control the mixture of minerals like potassium and salt in our body.
- Gonads are our sex glands and they control testosterone levels in men and estrogen and progesterone in women.
- Hypothalamus is the controlling switch of our body and regulates our temperature, blood sugar and oxygen level.
- Pancreas is a part of the digestive system and produce insulin, somatostatin and glucagon. They also produce enzymes as pancreatic juice which helps the absorption of nutrients into the small intestine.
- Pineal gland is shaped like a tiny pine cone and produces hormones which control our sleep patterns and awareness of he seasons.
- Pituitary glands are divided into the anterior and the posterior gland. Both of them govern functions from controlling blood sugar levels, development of ovaries, body growth, producing oxytocin and antidiuretics.
- Prostate gland is the production center for a milky fluid which is injected into the semen during ejaculation in men. The alkaline liquid’s purpose is to neutralize the acidity of the vaginal tract allowing the sperm to exist longer.
- Thyroid gland in our throat control growth hormones and calcium levels in our bodies. They also regulate weight.
- The Thymus is also located in the neck and it produces a hormone which controls our immunity.
All these glands are part of our endocrine system. They produce hormones which regulate the entire body in an ideal manner. Any malfunction of these glands results in a hormonal imbalance resulting in serious illness.