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Level 1 Life- Complex Polymers- Hormones
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Hormones are a large series of specialized proteins
and other simple and complex polymers created by specialized body cells that
specifically alter the function of all cells with the body of Hydro-Carbon
biologics. As such, hormones are the principle chemical messenger system of all
complex Hydro-Carbon lifeforms. |
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Since the introduction of the word "hormone" at the
turn of the 19th Century, literally hundreds of hormones have been discovered.
These hormones can be classed according to their size, molecular make-up and
shape: |
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| Proteins 100-500 Amino Acids |
e.g. Somatropin, Insulin, Prolactin
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Polypeptides 20-10 Amino Acids
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eg Sompatropin releasing Factor (STHRF)
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| Peptides 5 to 10 Amino Acids |
eg Vasopressinb (ADH), Vasoticin,, Oxytocin
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Sterols 3 to 4 carbon rings
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eg Progesterone, Aldosterone, Androgen (testosterone)
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Polymers ( neurotransmitters) 10 to 30 atoms
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eg Seratonin, Epinephrin (adrenalin)
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| Amino Acids (also neuro transmitters) 10 to 30 atoms |
eg Gamma (GABA), Histamine
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The confusion of multi-use and multi-classification |
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Probably no class of specialized complex polymers has
been as confusing as hormones, in that many substances classed as hormones ( e.g.
proteins) are also classed elsewhere, creating confusion. It is only in recent
years that it has come to be generally accepted that many polymers ( such as
Amino Acids and even simple molecules such as NO) have multi-purposes within a
living organism. |
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The interaction and link between levels of hormones |
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An important feature of hormones is the common
grouping of polymers of different levels and sizes as functional groups. For
example, the production and release of the protein Somatropin is co0ordinated
with the smaller polypeptide hormones Somatropin releasing Factor (STHRF) and
Somatropin Release Inhibiting factor (STHRIF). Thus the hundreds of hormones
can be classified also by the membership of functional groupings. |
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The Sterols (Steroids) |
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Sterols ( Steroids) consist of carbon and hydrogen
atoms arranged in four rings, three with six carbon atoms and one with five.
These rings are linked together to form a basic structure common to all the
steroids, to which various chemical groups are attached to form the specific
types. |
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The major steroids include: |
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| o Major bile salt of glycocholate |
o Progesterone |
| o Cortisone |
o Aldosterone |
| o Testosterone
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o Oestrogens |
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What makes Sterols particularly important is that they
are the primary chemical messengers for the release and closure of certain
chemical code (DNA) strands. Steroids enter the cell passively and then bind to
specific receptor sites. |
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Cholesterol's basic structure is very similar to a
steroid. However Chrolesterol also binds within the blood vessels of a living
organism and is responsible for the regulation of fat transport in the blood
stream. As the level of Cholesterol indicates the levels of fat within the
blood stream, medical practitioners use Cholesterol levels as a measure linked
to blood pressure (blood flow, that may be restricted due to fatty build up). |
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Hormones traveling along parallel pathways
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A particular feature of hormones as the body's
fundamental chemical messengers is that they travel along the established
pathways of a living organism's systems such as neural/nervous system, blood
system and immune system as well as specific cell systems ( e.g. brain, heart,
liver). |
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Common functions of hormones across complex species |
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As we have seen at different levels of matter, common
traits of purpose and behaviour appear across all levels. The same applies with
hormones, with research revealing hormones of the human being serving the same
purpose as hormones within less developed biologics. In other words, the
hormone seratonin is the same shape and performs the same function across all
animals with neural systems. |
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Hormones to be discussed later |
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As hormones play such a fundamental role as the bodies
chemical messenger system, we will discuss the role of hormones and the parts
of organisms that produce and control them in later chapters (Ch13- Higher
organized Life and Ch-15 Human Body and Brain). |
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