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Hormones are chemical messengers produced by specialized cells or glands in the body and released into the bloodstream to reach distant organs or tissues. They play a central role in regulating and coordinating various physiological processes, including growth and development, metabolism, reproduction and the response to stress and environmental changes. Hormones act by binding to specific receptors in the target cells, resulting in a change in the function or activity of these cells. The hormone effect can be stimulatory or inhibitory, depending on the type of hormone and the target tissue.
There are various types of hormones that differ in their chemical structure, including steroid hormones (such as oestrogens and testosterone), peptide hormones (such as insulin and growth hormone) and amino acid derivatives (such as adrenaline and thyroxine). The production and release of most hormones are controlled by complex regulatory circuits that ensure that the body can react appropriately to internal and external changes. These regulatory circuits often contain feedback mechanisms that prevent an over- or underproduction of hormones in order to maintain homeostasis, i.e. the balance in the body.
