Question

Explain the classification of hormones in detail.

Answer 1

Before classifying the hormones, we should have an idea about the grounds on which hormones can be classified. Once we are done with the idea of the classification ideas, we can easily categorize the hormones into different types.

Complete step by step answer:
We should remember the grounds on which hormones are classified. The grounds are:
- Chemical nature
- Mechanism of action
- Nature of action
- Their effects and
- Their stimulation on endocrine glands.

On the basis of the above mentioned criteria, we can classify hormones into 6 different types:
- Steroid
- Amines
- Peptide
- Protein
- Glycoprotein
- Eicosanoid

Let us look at each one in detail.
- Steroid: A steroid is a biologically active organic compound with four rings arranged in a special molecular configuration. Steroids have two principal biological functions : as important components of cell membranes which alter cell membrane fluidity; and as signaling molecules.
- Amines: In organic chemistry, amines are compounds and functional groups that contain a basic nitrogen atom with a lone pair. Amides are formally derivatives of ammonia, where in one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by a substituent such as an alkyl or aryl group.
- Peptide: A peptide is a short chain of amino acids. The amino acids in a peptide are connected to one another in a sequence by bonds called peptide bonds. Typically, peptides are distinguished from proteins by the shorter length, although the cut-off number of amino acids for defining a peptide and protein can be arbitrary.
- Protein: Protein is a macronutrient that is essential to building muscle mass. It is commonly found in animal products and is also present in other sources such as nuts and legumes.
- Glycoprotein: Glycoproteins are proteins which contain oligosaccharide chains (glycans) covalently attached to amino acid side-chains. The carbohydrate is attached to the protein in a cotranslational or posttranslational modification. This process is known as glycosylation.
- Eicosanoid : Eicosanoid are signaling molecules made by the enzymatic or non-enzymatic oxidation of arachidonic acid or other polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are, similar to arachidonic acid, 20 carbon units in length.

Note: Hormones are a member of a class of signalling molecules, which are produced in a multicellular organism, that are transported by the circulatory system to target the distant organs to regulate physiology and behavior. Hormones control the growth, metabolism, and fertility in the human body.