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hor·mone (hôr m n )n.1. a. A substance, usually a peptide or steroid, produced by one tissue and conveyed by the bloodstream to another to effect physiological activity, such as growth or metabolism. b. A synthetic compound that acts like a hormone in the body. 2. Any of various similar substances found in plants and insects that regulate development.
[From Greek hormn, present participle of horm n, to urge on, from horm , impulse; see er-1 in Indo-European roots.]
hor·monal·ly adv. |
hormone Noun 1. a chemical substance produced in an endocrine gland and transported in the blood to a certain tissue, on which it has a specific effect 2. a similar substance produced by a plant that is essential for growth 3. a synthetic substance having the same effects [Greek hormōn] hormonal adj
hormone (hôrmn)1. A chemical substance secreted by an endocrine gland or group of endocrine cells that acts to control or regulate specific physiological processes, including growth, metabolism, and reproduction. Most hormones are secreted by endocrine cells in one part of the body and then transported by the blood to their target site of action in another part, though some hormones act only in the region in which they are secreted. Many of the principal hormones of vertebrates, such as growth hormone and thyrotropin, are secreted by the pituitary gland, which is in turn regulated by neurohormone secretions of the hypothalamus. Hormones also include the endorphins, androgens, and estrogens. See more at endocrine gland. 2. A substance that is synthesized by a plant part and acts to control or regulate the growth and development of the plant. The action and effectiveness of a hormone can depend on the hormone's chemical structure, its amount in relation to other hormones that have competing or opposing effects, and the ways in which it interacts with chemical receptors in various plant parts. Auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, abscisic acid, and ethylene are plant hormones. A Closer Look Among the most abundant and influential chemicals in the human body are the hormones, found also throughout the entire animal and plant kingdoms. The endocrine glands alone, including the thyroid, pancreas, adrenals, ovaries, and testes, release more than 20 hormones that travel through the bloodstream before arriving at their targeted sites. The pea-sized pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain below the hypothalamus, is considered the most crucial part of the endocrine system, producing growth hormone and hormones that control other endocrine glands. Specialized cells of the nervous system also produce hormones. The brain itself releases endorphins, hormones that act as natural painkillers. Hormones impact almost every cell and organ of the human body, regulating mood, growth, tissue function, metabolism, and sexual and reproductive function. Compared to the nervous system, the endocrine system regulates slower processes such as metabolism and cell growth, while the nervous system controls more immediate functions, such as breathing and movement. The action of hormones is a delicate balancing act, which can be affected by stress, infection, or changes in fluids and minerals in the blood. The pituitary hormones are influenced by a variety of factors, including emotions and fluctuations in light and temperature. When hormone levels become abnormal, disease can result, such as diabetes from insufficient insulin or osteoporosis in women from decreased estrogen. On the other hand, excessive levels of growth hormone may cause uncontrolled development. Treatment for hormonal disorders usually involves glandular surgery or substitution by synthetic hormones. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. |  hormone - the secretion of an endocrine gland that is transmitted by the blood to the tissue on which it has a specific effectsecretion - a functionally specialized substance (especially one that is not a waste) released from a gland or cell glucagon - a hormone secreted by the pancreas; stimulates increases in blood sugar levels in the blood (thus opposing the action of insulin) insulin - hormone secreted by the isles of Langerhans in the pancreas; regulates storage of glycogen in the liver and accelerates oxidation of sugar in cells melatonin - hormone secreted by the pineal gland neurohormone - a hormone that is released by nerve impulses (e.g., norepinephrine or vasopressin) oxytocin, Pitocin - hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland (trade name Pitocin); stimulates contractions of the uterus and ejection of milk parathormone, parathyroid hormone - hormone synthesized and released into the blood stream by the parathyroid glands; regulates phosphorus and calcium in the body and functions in neuromuscular excitation and blood clotting relaxin - hormone secreted by the corpus luteum during the last days of pregnancy; relaxes the pelvic ligaments and prepares the uterus for labor thymosin - hormone secreted by the thymus; stimulates immunological activity of lymphoid tissue thyroid hormone - any of several closely related compounds that are produced by the thyroid gland and are active metabolically ADH, antidiuretic hormone, Pitressin, vasopressin - hormone secreted by the posterior pituitary gland (trade name Pitressin) and also by nerve endings in the hypothalamus; affects blood pressure by stimulating capillary muscles and reduces urine flow by affecting reabsorption of water by kidney tubules adrenosterone - a steroid having androgenic activity; obtained from the cortex of the adrenal gland glucocorticoid - a steroid hormone that is produced by the adrenal cortex of animals; affects functioning of gonads and has anti-inflammatory activity catecholamine - any of a group of chemicals including epinephrine and norepinephrine that are produced in the medulla of the adrenal gland |
 Translationshormone [ˈhɔːməun] n → Hormon nt hormone [ˈhɔːməun] n → ormone m
hormonen hormone [ˈhoːməun]a substance produced by certain glands of the body, which makes some organ of the body active Adrenalin is a hormone. hormoon هورمون хормон hormon hormon das Hormon ορμόνη hormona hormoon هورمون hormoni hormone הוֹרמוֹן अंदर ही अंदर खून में मिल कर उत्तेजना पैदा करने वाला तत्व hormon hormon hormon hormón ormone ホルモン 호르몬 hormonas hormons hormon hormoon hormon hormon hormona hormon гормон hormón hormon hormon hormon ฮอร์โมน hormon 荷爾蒙, 激素 гормон ہارمون، مہیجہ hoóc môn 荷尔蒙,激素
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fibroblast growth hormone