Prepared by ps

Learning Objectives

At the end of this lesson the students will be able to:

✓ Define hormone.
✓ List out plant hormones.
✓ Classify plant hormones into growth promoters and growth inhibitors.
✓ Differentiate the physiological effects of various plant hormones.
✓ Understand how plant hormones control and coordinate various physiological activities in plants.
✓ Know the various endocrine glands in the human body.
✓ Identify the location and structure of the endocrine glands in the human body.
✓ Differentiate exocrine and endocrine glands.
✓ Know the specific site of action and their functions.
✓ Identify the disorders which occur due to decreased or increased hormone secretion.
 Introduction
The word hormone is derived from the Greek word “hormon” meaning “
to excite”. The function of control and coordination in plants is performed by chemical
substances produced by the plants called plant hormones. In plants several cells are
capable of producing hormones. These phytohormones are transported to different parts
of the plants to perform various physiological functions.
Endocrine glands in vertebrate animals possess a diversified
communication system to co-ordinate physiological and metabolic functions by chemical
integration. The endocrine system acts through chemical messengers known as hormones
which are produced by specialized glands. Physiological processes such as digestion,
metabolism, growth, development and reproduction are controlled by hormones.
 Types of Plant Hormones

Plant Hormones There are five major classes of plant hormones.

Plant hormones are They are:

organic molecules that are ✓ Auxins

produced at extremely low ✓ Cytokinins

concentration in plants. ✓ Gibberellins

These molecules control ✓ Abscisic Acid (ABA)

morphological, physiological ✓ Ethylene

and biochemical responses. Among all these plant hormones auxins,

cytokinins and gibberellins promote plant growth while
abscisic acid and ethylene inhibit plant growth.
 Auxins
Went’s Experiment
Auxins (Gk. auxein = to grow) were the first
Frits Warmolt Went (1903– 1990), a
plant hormones discovered. The term auxin
Dutch biologist demonstrated the existence
was introduced by Kogl and Haagen- Smith
and effect of auxin in plants. He did a series
(1931). Auxins are produced at the tip of stems
of experiments in Avena coleoptiles.
and roots from where they migrate to the zone
In his first experiment he removed
of elongation. Charles Darwin (1880), observed
the tips of Avena coleoptiles. The cut tips
unilateral growth and curvature of canary grass
did not grow indicating that the tips
(Phalaris canariensis) coleoptiles. He came to
produced something essential for growth.In
the conclusion that some ‘influence’ was
his second experiment he placed the agar
transmitted from the tip of the coleoptile to the
blocks on the decapitated coleoptile tips.
basal region. This ‘influence’ was later
identified as Auxin by Went.
 The coleoptile tips did not show
any response. In his next experiment he placed
the detached coleoptile tips on agar blocks.
After an hour, he discarded the tips and placed
this agar block on the decapitated coleoptile.
It grew straight up indicating that some
chemical had diffused from the cut coleoptile
tips into the agar block which stimulated the
growth.
From his experiments Went
concluded that a chemical diffusing from the
tip of coleoptiles was responsible for growth,
and he named it as “Auxin” meaning ‘to grow”.
 Types of Auxins Phenyl Acetic Acid
Auxins are classified into two types, namely natural (PAA) and Indole 3
auxins and synthetic auxins. Acetonitrile (IAN) are
1. Natural Auxins: Auxins produced by the plants are natural auxins. Indole 3
called natural auxins. Example: IAA (Indole – 3 - Acetic Butyric Acid (IBA), Indole-3-
Acid) Propionic Acid, α-
2. Synthetic Auxins: Artificially synthesized auxins that Naphthalene Acetic Acid
have properties like auxins are called as synthetic auxins. (NAA), 2, 4, 5-T (2,4,5
Example: 2, 4 D (2,4 Dichlorophenoxy Acetic Acid). Trichlorophenoxy Acetic
Physiological effects of auxins: Auxins bring about a Acid) are some of the
variety of physiological effects in different parts of the synthetic auxin
plant body.
➢ 1. Auxins promote the elongation of stems and
coleoptiles which makes them to grow.
➢ 2. Auxins induce root formation at low
concentration and inhibit it at higher concentration.
➢ 3. The auxins produced by the apical buds suppress
growth of lateral buds. This is called apical
dominance.
➢ 4. Seedless fruits without fertilization are induced
by the external application of auxins.
(Parthenocarpy). Examples: Watermelon, Grapes,
Lime etc.
➢ 5. Auxins prevent the formation of abscission layer.
 Cytokinins Physiological effects of cytokinins
Cytokinins (Cytos - cell; ➢ Cytokinin induces cell division (cytokinesis) in the
kinesis - division) are the plant presence of auxins.
hormones that promote cell ➢ Cytokinin also causes cell enlargement.
division or cytokinesis in plant ➢ Both auxins and cytokinins are essential for the
cells. It was first isolated from formation of new organs from the callus in tissue
Herring fish sperm. Zeatin was culture (Morphogenesis).
the cytokinin isolated from Zea ➢ Cytokinins promote the growth of lateral buds
mays. Cytokinin is found even in the presence of apical bud.
abundantly in liquid endosperm ➢ Application of cytokinin delays the process of
of coconut. ageing in plants. This is called Richmond Lang
effect.
 Gibberellins
Gibberellins are the most abundantly found plant
hormones. Kurosawa (1926) observed Bakanae disease or foolish
seedling disease in rice crops. This internodal elongation in rice
was caused by fungus Gibberella fujikuroi. The active substance
was identified as Gibberellic acid.
Physiological effects of gibberellins
1. Application of gibberellins on plants stimulate extraordinary
elongation of internode. e.g. Corn and Pea.
2. Treatment of rosette plants with gibberellin
Bolting
induces sudden shoot elongation followed by
flowering. This is called bolting.
3. Gibberellins promote the production of
male flowers in monoecious plants
(Cucurbits).
4. Gibberellins break dormancy of potato
tubers.
5. Gibberellins are efficient than auxins in
inducing the formation of seedless fruit -
Parthenocarpic fruits (Development of fruits
without fertilization) e.g. Tomato.
 Abscisic Acid
Abscisic acid (ABA) is a growth inhibitor which regulates
abscission and dormancy. It increases tolerance of plants to various kinds of
stress. So, it is also called as stress hormone. It is found in the chloroplast of
plants.
 Physiological effects of abscisic acid
1. ABA promotes the process of abscission (separation of leaves,
flowers and fruits from the branch).
2. During water stress and drought conditions ABA causes
stomatal closure.
3. ABA promotes senescence in leaves by causing loss of
chlorophyll.
4. ABA induces bud dormancy towards the approach of winter in
trees like birch.
5. ABA is a powerful inhibitor of lateral bud growth in tomato.
 Ethylene
4. Ethylene stimulates formation of abscission zone in
Ethylene is a gaseous plant leaves, flowers and fruits. This leads to premature
hormone. It is a growth inhibitor. It is shedding.
mainly concerned with maturation and 5. Ethylene breaks the dormancy of buds, seeds and
ripening of fruits. Maximum synthesis storage organs.
of ethylene occurs during ripening of
fruits like apples, bananas and melons

Physiological effects of ethylene

1. Ethylene promotes the ripening of
fruits. e.g. Tomato, Apple, Mango,
Banana, etc.
2. Ethylene inhibits the elongation of
stem and root in dicots.
3. Ethylene hastens the senescence of
leaves and flowers.
 Human Endocrine Glands
Endocrine glands in animals possess a versatile
The branch of biology
communication system to coordinate biological which deals with the study of
functions. Exocrine glands and endocrine glands are the endocrine glands and its
physiology is known as
two kinds of glands found in animals. Endocrine glands ‘Endocrinology’. Thomas
are found in different regions of the body of animals as Addison is known as Father of
Endocrinology. English
well as human beings. These glands are called ductless physiologists W. M. Bayliss
glands. Their secretions are called hormones which are and E. H. Starling introduced
the term hormone in 1909.
produced in minute quantities. The secretions diffuse They first discovered the
into the blood stream and are carried to the distant hormone secretin.

parts of the body. They act on specific organs which are

referred as target organs.
 Exocrine glands have specific ducts to carry their
secretions e.g. salivary glands, mammary glands, sweat glands.
Endocrine glands present in human and other vertebrates are
a. Pituitary gland
b. Thyroid gland
c. Parathyroid gland
d. Pancreas (Islets of Langerhans)
e. Adrenal gland (Adrenal cortex and Adrenal medulla)
f. Gonads(Testes and Ovary)
g. Thymus gland
 Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland or hypophysis

is a pea shaped compact mass of cells
located at the base of the midbrain attached
to the hypothalamus by a pituitary stalk. The
pituitary gland is anatomically composed of
two lobes and perform different functions.
They are the anterior lobe
(adenohypophysis) and the posterior lobe
(neurohypophysis). The intermediate lobe is
non-existent in humans.
 The pituitary gland forms the major endocrine gland in most vertebrates. It
regulates and controls other endocrine glands and so is called as the “Master gland”.
Hormones secreted by the anterior lobe (Adenohypophysis) of pituitary
The anterior pituitary is composed of different types of cells and secrete hormones
which stimulates the production of hormones by other endocrine glands. The hormones
secreted by anterior pituitary are
a. Growth Hormone
b. Thyroid stimulating Hormone
c. Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
d. Gonadotropic Hormone which comprises the Follicle Stimulating Hormone and
Luteinizing Hormone
e. Prolactin
 Growth hormone (GH)
GH promotes the development and enlargement of all tissues of the
body. It stimulates the growth of muscles, cartilage and long bones. It
controls the cell metabolism.
The improper secretion of this hormone leads to the following
conditions.
Dwarfism: It is caused by decreased secretion of growth hormone in
children. The characteristic features are stunted growth, delayed skeletal
formation and mental disability.
Gigantism: Oversecretion of growth hormone leads to gigantism in
children. It is characterised by overgrowth of all body tissues and organs.
Individuals attain abnormal increase in height.
Acromegaly: Excess secretion of growth hormone in adults
may lead to abnormal enlargement o f head, face, hands and
feet.
b. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
TSH controls the growth of thyroid gland, coordinates
its activities and hormone secretion.
c. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
ACTH stimulates adrenal cortex of the adrenal gland
for the production of its hormones. It also influences protein
synthesis in the adrenal cortex.
d. Gonadotropic hormones (GTH)
The gonadotropic hormones are follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing
hormone which are essential for the normal development of gonads.
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
In male, it stimulates the germinal epithelium of testes for formation of
sperms. In female it initiates the growth of ovarian follicles and its development in
ovary.
Luteinizing hormone (LH)
In male, it promotes the Leydig cells of the testes to secrete male sex
hormone testosterone. In female, it causes ovulation (rupture of mature graafian
follicle), responsible for the development of corpus luteum and production of
female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.
e. Prolactin (PRL)
PRL is also called lactogenic hormone. This hormone initiates development
of mammary glands during pregnancy and stimulates the production of
milk after child birth.
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland. It is
known as a ‘time messenger’. It signals night time information throughout
the body. Exposure to light at night, especially short-wavelength light, can
decrease melatonin production interrupting sleep. Suppression of
melatonin has been implicated in sleep disturbances and related
metabolic disorders.
Hormones secreted by the posterior lobe (Neurohypophysis) of pituitary
The hormones secreted by the posterior pituitary are
a. Vasopressin or Antidiuretic hormone
b. Oxytocin
a. Vasopressin or Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
In kidney tubules it increases reabsorption of water. It reduces loss of water
through urine and hence the name antidiuretic hormone.
Deficiency of ADH reduces reabsorption of water and causes an increase in
urine output (polyuria). This deficiency disorder is called Diabetes insipidus.
b. Oxytocin
It helps in the contraction of the smooth muscles of uterus at the time of child
birth and milk ejection from the mammary gland after child birth.
 Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland is composed of two distinct lobes lying one on
either side of the trachea. The two lobes are connected by means of a narrow band
of tissue known as the isthmus. This gland is composed of glandular follicles and
lined by cuboidal epithelium.The follicles are filled with colloid material called
thyroglobulin.
An amino acid tyrosine and iodine are involved in the formation of thyroid
hormone. The hormones secreted by the thyroid gland are
a. Triiodothyronine (T3)
b. Tetraiodothyronine or Thyroxine (T4)
 Functions of thyroid hormones
➢ The functions of thyroid hormones are
➢ Production of energy by maintaining the Basal
Metabolic Rate (BMR) of the body.
➢ Helps to maintain normal body temperature.
➢ Influences the activity of central nervous system.
➢ Controls growth of the body and bone formation.
➢ Essential for normal physical, mental and
personality development .
➢ It is also known as personality hormone.
➢ Regulates cell metabolism.
 Goitre

Thyroid Dysfunction It is caused due to the inadequate supply of iodine in

When the thyroid gland fails to our diet. This is commonly prevalent in Himalayan regions
secrete the normal level of due to low level of iodine content in the soil. It leads to
hormones, the condition is called the enlargement of thyroid gland which protrudes as a
thyroid dysfunction. It leads to the marked swelling in the neck and is called as goitre.
following conditions
Hypothyroidism
It is caused due to the decreased
secretion of the thyroid hormones.
The abnormal conditions are simple
goitre, cretinism and myxoedema.
Cretinism
It is caused due to decreased secretion of the thyroid hormones in children. The
conditions are stunted growth, mental defect, lack of skeletal development and deformed
bones. They are called as cretins.
Myxoedema
It is caused by deficiency of thyroid hormones in adults. They are mentally
sluggish, increase in body weight, puffiness of the face and hand, oedematous appearance.
Hyperthyroidism
It is caused due to the excess secretion of the thyroid hormones which leads to
Grave’s disease. The symptoms are protrusion of the eyeballs (Exopthalmia), increased
metabolic rate, high body temperature, profuse sweating, loss of body weight and
nervousness.
Parathyroid Gland

The parathyroid glands are four small oval bodies that are situated
on the posterior surface of the thyroid lobes. The chief cells of the
gland are mainly concerned with secretion of parathormone.
Functions of Parathormone
The parathormone regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism in
the body.They act on bone, kidney and intestine to maintain blood
calcium levels.
Parthyroid Dysfunction
The secretion of parathyroid hormone can be altered due to the
following conditions.
 Removal of parathyroid
glands during thyroidectomy
(removal of thyroid) causes
decreased secretion of
parathormone.
The conditions are
Muscle spasm known as Tetany
(sustained contraction of muscles in
face, larynx, hands and feet).
Painful cramps of the limb muscles.
 Pancreas (Islets of Langerhans)
Pancreas is an elongated, yellowish gland situated in the loop of stomach
and duodenum. It is exocrine and endocrine in nature. The exocrine pancreas secretes
pancreatic juice which plays a role in digestion while, the endocrine portion is made up of
Islets of Langerhans.The Islets of Langerhans consists of two types of cells namely alpha
cells and beta cells. The alpha cells secrete glucagon and beta cells secrete insulin.

Human insulin was

first discovered by Fredrick
Banting, Charles Best and
MacLeod in 1921. Insulin
was first used in treatment
of diabetes on 11th January
1922.
Functions of Pancreatic hormones
Diabetes mellitus
A balance between insulin and glucagon production
The deficiency of insulin causes
is necessary to maintain blood glucose concentration.
Diabetes mellitus. It is characterised
Insulin
by
✓ Insulin helps in the conversion of glucose into
✓ Increase in blood sugar level
glycogen which is stored in liver and skeletal
(Hyperglycemia).
muscles.
✓ Excretion of excess glucose in the
✓ It promotes the transport of glucose into the cells.
urine (Glycosuria).
✓ It decreases the concentration of glucose in blood.
✓ Frequent urination (Polyuria).
Glucagon
✓ Increased thirst (Polydipsia).
Glucagon helps in the breakdown of glycogen to
✓ Increase in appetite (Polyphagia).
glucose in the liver.
It increases blood glucose levels.
 Adrenal Gland Hormones of Adrenal Cortex
The adrenal glands are located above The hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex
each kidney. They are also called supra renal are corticosteroids. They are classified into
glands. a. Glucocorticoids b. Mineralocorticoids
The outer part is the adrenal cortex
and the inner part is the adrenal medulla.
The two distinct parts are structurally and
functionally different.
Adrenal Cortex
The adrenal cortex consists of three
layers of cells. They are zona glomerulosa,
zona fasciculata and zona reticularis
 Functions of adrenocortical hormones
Glucocorticoids
The glucocorticoids secreted by the zona fasciculata are cortisol and corticosterone
➢ They regulate cell metabolism.
➢ It stimulates the formation of glucose from glycogen in the liver.
➢ It is an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic agent.
Mineralocorticoids
The mineralocorticoids secreted by zona glomerulosa is aldosterone
➢ It helps to reabsorb sodium ions from the renal tubules.
➢ It causes increased excretion of potassium ions.
➢ It regulates electrolyte balance, body fluid volume, osmotic pressure and blood pressure.
 Adrenal Medulla
The cortisol
The adrenal medulla is composed of chromaffin
hormones of adrenal cortex
cells.They are richly supplied with sympathetic and
serves to maintain the body in
parasympathetic nerves.
living condition and recover it
Hormones of Adrenal Medulla
from the severe effects of
It secretes two hormones namely
stress reactions. Thus an
a. Epinephrine (Adrenaline)
increased output of cortisol is
b. Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline)
“life saving” in “shock
They are together called as “Emergency
conditions”. It is also known as
hormones”. It is produced during conditions of stress and
life-saving hormone.
emotion. Hence it is also referred as “flight, fright and
fight hormone”.
 Functions of adrenal medullary hormones Reproductive Glands (Gonads)
Epinephrine (Adrenaline) The sex glands are of two types the
✓ It promotes the conversion of glycogen to testes and the ovaries. The testes are
glucose in liver and muscles. present in male, while the ovaries are
✓ It increases heart beat and blood pressure. present in female.
✓ It increases the rate of respiration by Testes
dilation of bronchi and trachea. Testes are the reproductive glands of
✓ It causes dilation of the pupil in eye. the males. They are composed of
✓ It decreases blood flow through the skin. seminiferous tubules, Leydig cells and
Norepinephrine (Noradrenalin) Sertoli cells. Leydig cells form the endocrine
Most of its actions are similar to those part of the testes. They secrete the male sex
of epinephrine. hormone called testosterone.
Functions of testosterone
➢ It influences the process of spermatogenesis.
➢ It stimulates protein synthesis and controls muscular growth.
➢ It is responsible for the development of secondary sexual characters (distribution of hair
on body and face, deep voice pattern, etc).
Ovary
The ovaries are the female gonads located in the pelvic cavity of the abdomen.
They secrete the female sex hormones
a. Estrogen
b. Progesterone
Estrogen is produced by the Graafian follicles of the ovary and progesterone from
the corpus luteum that is formed in the ovary from the ruptured follicle during ovulation.
Functions of estrogens
✓ It brings about the changes that occur during puberty.
✓ It initiates the process of oogenesis.
✓ It stimulates the maturation of ovarian follicles in the ovary.
✓ It promotes the development of secondary sexual characters
(breast development, high pitched voice etc).
Functions of progesterone
✓ It is responsible for the premenstrual changes of the uterus.
✓ It prepares the uterus for the implantation of the embryo.
✓ It maintains pregnancy.
✓ It is essential for the formation of placenta.
 Thymus Gland
Thymus is partly an endocrine gland and partly a lymphoid gland. It is located in the upper
part of the chest covering the lower end of trachea. Thymosin is the hormone secreted by thymus.

Functions of Thymosin
✓ It has a stimulatory effect on
the immune function.
✓ It stimulates the production and
differentiation of lymphocytes.

Thank you by Subbiah palaniyandi