3 What are the 3 major categories of hormones by structure H

3. What are the 3 major categories of hormones by structure? How do the differences in structure affect their function? What is meant by the term “second messenger”? (A paragraph or 2)

Solution

The three different types of hormones depending on their structures are as follows:

1: amine hormones: these are simple molecules that might have an amine (NH2) group.

2: peptide hormones: these are the hormones that are small peptides and have a peptide bond. they consist of chains of amino acids

3: steroid hormones: these are made from steroids and their basic structure is taken from steroids like cholesterol.

the difference in structure can affect their function by making them hydrophobic or hydrophillic. since the steroid hormones contain long chains of fatty acids, they are hydrophobic and very large. they have their receptors inside the cell. they are also only carried through blood and have a longer half life. On the other hand, the peptide and amine hormones are water soluble and therefore they cannot pass through the plasma membrane they have their receptors on the surface of the cell. they are also relatively smaller than the steroid hormones.

the term second messenger means a substance which is released when a hormone stimulates the release. the secondary messenger is responsible for the response shown by the cell.