Growth hormone

Definition

Growth hormone, also known as somatotropin, is a peptide hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that plays a vital role in growth, metabolism, and overall physical development. It stimulates growth in almost all tissues of the body, including bone and muscle, and regulates various metabolic processes such as protein synthesis and fat metabolism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Growth hormone levels fluctuate throughout the day, with the highest levels typically occurring during sleep, especially during deep sleep stages.
2. It promotes the synthesis of proteins and helps the body utilize fats for energy, thus playing a crucial role in metabolism.
3. Deficiency in growth hormone during childhood can lead to stunted growth and delayed development, while excess production can result in conditions like acromegaly in adults.
4. Growth hormone therapy is often used to treat children with growth hormone deficiency or other related disorders to promote normal growth.
5. In adults, growth hormone levels decline with age, which can affect muscle mass, bone density, and overall metabolism.

Review Questions

• How does growth hormone influence both physical development and metabolic processes in the body?
  • Growth hormone significantly impacts physical development by stimulating growth in bones and muscles, promoting overall body composition improvement. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in metabolic processes by encouraging protein synthesis and facilitating the use of fats for energy. This dual action helps maintain muscle mass while regulating body fat levels, highlighting its importance for both growth and metabolism.
• Evaluate the effects of abnormal levels of growth hormone in both children and adults and discuss potential health implications.
  • Abnormal levels of growth hormone can have severe health implications. In children, excess production can lead to gigantism, characterized by excessive height and growth due to prolonged exposure to high levels of the hormone. In adults, excess growth hormone can lead to acromegaly, causing enlargement of bones and tissues. Conversely, a deficiency in children results in stunted growth while in adults it may lead to decreased muscle mass and increased body fat, indicating how critical balanced levels of this hormone are for health.
• Assess the role of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) in mediating the effects of growth hormone on bodily functions.
  • Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) plays a pivotal role in mediating the effects of growth hormone by acting as a primary effector. When growth hormone is released from the pituitary gland, it stimulates the liver and other tissues to produce IGF. This factor then promotes cell division, growth, and differentiation in various tissues, enhancing the overall anabolic effects initiated by growth hormone. Thus, IGF is essential for translating the signals from growth hormone into physiological responses that support growth and metabolic health.

Related terms

Pituitary Gland:

The pituitary gland is a small gland located at the base of the brain that produces and secretes various hormones, including growth hormone, which regulates many physiological processes.

Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF): Insulin-like Growth Factor is a hormone that mediates the effects of growth hormone, primarily promoting cell growth and development in tissues.

Gigantism: Gigantism is a condition resulting from excessive secretion of growth hormone during childhood, leading to abnormal growth and height.