Just give me my CAFFEINE and we will be best friends.Are you wondering why coffee keeps you awake all night? I'm sure that you know that it's caffeine who's responsible for it. Caffeine triggers the release of two hormones (Epinephrine and Norepinephrine) that stimulates your Central Nervous System and makes you feel more alert and awake. But what are the actions or effects of these hormones? Well, endocrinology can answer all your questions.
What is Endocrinology?
Should anyone ask me that query, I would tell them that... Endocrinology is the study of specialized cells called "endocrine glands" that secrete substances called "hormones" that cause reactions within specific cells.
As I take up the third subject under the broad expanse that is Clinical Chemistry, I will be sharing the things I would be learning along the way, hoping that you'd understand the concepts as I do.
From the word itself, Endocrinology deals with endocrine glands and its functions. One of its function is to secrete hormones in order for certain reactions to take place. These hormones are classified by several properties; however, the most common among them is their classification by action.
To make it easy for you to understand, I will first state the meaning, then I will relate it to coffee and give specific examples. And why coffee, you ask? Well, to put it simply, it's one of the things in life that bring me happiness. Perhaps relating Endocrinology to coffee would help in presenting my ideas.
As I take up the third subject under the broad expanse that is Clinical Chemistry, I will be sharing the things I would be learning along the way, hoping that you'd understand the concepts as I do.
From the word itself, Endocrinology deals with endocrine glands and its functions. One of its function is to secrete hormones in order for certain reactions to take place. These hormones are classified by several properties; however, the most common among them is their classification by action.
To make it easy for you to understand, I will first state the meaning, then I will relate it to coffee and give specific examples. And why coffee, you ask? Well, to put it simply, it's one of the things in life that bring me happiness. Perhaps relating Endocrinology to coffee would help in presenting my ideas.
Classification by its action
1. Autocrine secretion
- The substance secreted is reacted to the substance secreting cell itself.
- This is like when you crave for coffee, you simply make one and drink it.
- Example: Norepinephrine is secreted by the Neurosecretory Cell. It is also Norepinephrine that inhibits the Neurosecretory Cell to release more of it.
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| Paracrine Secretion |
2. Paracrine secretion
- The substance secreted is reacted to the neighboring cell.
- This is like when your dad, who happens to be sitting beside you, wants a cup of coffee. You get up and make one for him to drink.
- Example: Histamine is secreted at the site of injury to initiate vasoconstriction to stop the bleeding.
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| Endocrine Secretion |
3. Endocrine Secretion
- The substance is secreted into the blood stream to react with distant cells.
- This is like owing a coffee shop, and when a customer asks for coffee to be brought to his office because he is too preoccupied to get it, you send a delivery man to bring him his cup of coffee.
- Example: The Leydig cells of the testis secretes testosterone to make your hair grow in the armpit.
Now that you've had already a brief knowledge in Endocrinology, I think, you're ready to understand the different types of hormones. Just go along with me as we explore the world of Endocrinology. (:
References:
Book: Tortora; Derrickson; Principles of anatomy and physiology
Online: http://www.montana.edu/wwwbi/staff/creel/411lec28.pdf
