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Question

Question: Which hormones have antagonistic effects?...

Which hormones have antagonistic effects?

Explanation

Solution

Hormones are basically chemicals produced by the endocrine gland and are then released into the bloodstream which is transported directly to a distinct target organ. The endocrine pancreas contains Islets of Langerhans. It consists of two types of cells that secrete two hormones that have antagonistic effects.

Complete answer:
Endocrine glands lack ducts and hence are termed as ductless glands. Their secretions are called as hormones. Hormones are mainly non- nutrient chemicals which act as intracellular messengers and are produced in trace amounts. They provide coordination in the vertebrates.
Insulin and glucagon are secreted from the beta and alpha cells of the pancreas. Glucagon is a peptide hormone that plays an important role in maintaining the normal blood glucose levels. Glucagon acts mainly on the liver cells or hepatocytes and stimulates glycogenolysis that results in an increase of blood sugar or hypoglycemia. It reduces the cellular glucose uptake and utilization.
Insulin is a peptide hormone that plays an important role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis. It acts mainly on hepatocytes and adipocytes and enhances cellular glucose uptake and utilisation. As a result, there is a rapid movement of glucose from blood to hepatocytes and adipocytes resulting in decreased blood levels or hypoglycemia.
Both of these hormones are secreted by the pancreas. The blood sugar content is controlled by both these hormones by the antagonistic effects.
So, the answer to the above question is Insulin and glucagon. It is an antagonistic base pair because the action of insulin is opposite to that of glucagon.

Note:
Antagonistic effect refers to Insulin helps in controlling blood glucose levels by signalling the liver and muscle to take up glucose from the blood. Insulin helps to take in glucose that is needed for energy. If there is sufficient energy, insulin signals the liver to take up glucose and store it in glycogen that can be used up later.