What are the chemical classes of hormones Be able to describ

What are the chemical classes of hormones? Be able to describe the mechanism by which lipid hormones activate cells Be able to describe the mechanisms by which peptide hormones. catecholamines and eicosanoids exert their effect.

Solution

Based on their chemical composition and structure hormaones are classified into 4 types:

1. Steroids

2. Amino acid derivaties (Eg: Catecholamine)

3. Fatty acid derivatives - Eicosanoids

4. Peptide hormones

Peptide hormones, Catecholamines and Eicosanoids initiate a 2nd messenger response. The hormones in itself forms the first messenger. The receptors of these hormones are found on the plasma membranes of the target cell.

Binding of the hormones to these receptors initiate a series of events (also known as a cascade) leads to the generation of 2nd messenger response. Another term used to describe this commonication within the cells is known as signal transduction.

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