growth hormone

growth hormone

n. Abbr. GH

1. A polypeptide hormone secreted by the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland that promotes growth of the body, especially by stimulating release of somatomedin, and that influences the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. Also called human growth hormone, somatotropic hormone, somatotropin.

2. Any of various natural or synthetic substances that regulate the growth of animals or plants, such as pituitary growth hormone in vertebrates and auxins in plants.

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growth hormone

1. A polypeptide hormone secreted by the anterior portion of the pituitary gland that promotes growth by stimulating protein synthesis. Growth hormone also acts on the liver to produce peptides called somatomedins, which stimulate growth of bone, cartilage, and muscle. Also called somatotropin.

2. Any of various natural or synthetic substances that regulate the growth of plants. Auxins in plants are growth hormones.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

growth hormone - a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland; promotes growth in humans human growth hormone, somatotrophic hormone, somatotrophin, somatotropic hormone, somatotropin, STH endocrine, hormone, internal secretion - the secretion of an endocrine gland that is transmitted by the blood to the tissue on which it has a specific effect Protropin - trade name of a synthetic human growth hormone given to children deficient in the hormone; use by athletes and weightlifters is banned