Growth Hormone

Definition

Growth hormone, also known as GH or somatotropin, is a peptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and regeneration in humans and other animals. It plays a crucial role in metabolic processes, influencing the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, thereby directly impacting overall energy balance and physical development.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Growth hormone promotes linear growth in children by stimulating the growth plates in bones.
2. In adults, GH helps maintain muscle mass, supports metabolic functions, and regulates fat distribution.
3. It is released in pulses, with the largest amounts secreted during deep sleep.
4. Deficiency or excess of growth hormone can lead to disorders such as dwarfism or acromegaly.
5. Growth hormone's actions are mediated through IGF-1, which is produced mainly in the liver in response to GH stimulation.

Review Questions

• How does growth hormone influence metabolic processes in the body?
  • Growth hormone influences metabolic processes by promoting protein synthesis, enhancing lipid metabolism, and regulating carbohydrate metabolism. It stimulates the liver to produce IGF-1, which has growth-promoting effects on various tissues. By increasing muscle mass and reducing fat storage, GH plays a significant role in maintaining overall energy balance and metabolic health.
• Evaluate the potential consequences of growth hormone deficiency or excess in individuals.
  • Growth hormone deficiency can lead to conditions like pituitary dwarfism in children, characterized by short stature and delayed development. In contrast, excess growth hormone can cause acromegaly in adults, resulting in enlarged bones and tissues. Both conditions highlight the importance of balanced GH levels for normal growth and metabolic function, indicating that disruptions can have significant health implications.
• Assess the role of IGF-1 in mediating the effects of growth hormone on tissue development and metabolism.
  • IGF-1 plays a critical role as a mediator of growth hormone's effects on tissue development and metabolism. When GH stimulates the liver to produce IGF-1, this factor promotes cell growth and division across various tissues, including muscles and bones. Additionally, IGF-1 contributes to anabolic processes such as protein synthesis while also influencing glucose metabolism. Therefore, understanding IGF-1's mechanisms helps illuminate how growth hormone contributes to overall physical development and metabolic regulation.

Related terms

Insulin: A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates glucose levels in the blood and plays a key role in metabolism.

Somatostatin: A hormone that inhibits the release of growth hormone and other hormones, playing a regulatory role in the endocrine system.

IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor 1): A hormone stimulated by growth hormone that promotes growth and development of tissues and is involved in anabolic processes.