Role of Animal Hormones: Physiology, Growth and Survival

21 Dec 2023

Influence of animal hormones on Physiology:

Hormones play a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes in animals. These chemical messengers are produced by specialized glands and travel through the bloodstream to target cells or organs, where they elicit specific responses.

How animal hormones drive immediate responses in threatening situations?

  • Hormonal Response  in threatening situations: In situations requiring immediate action, such as facing a threat, animals like squirrels employ hormonal responses
    • Example: Adrenaline, secreted from the adrenal glands, is released into the bloodstream, reaching various tissues and organs. 
    • This hormone prepares the body for either fighting or fleeing by increasing the heart rate, redirecting blood flow, and accelerating breathing. 
  • Secondary Mode of Control in the Endocrine System: This chemical signaling, facilitated by hormones, is a crucial aspect of the endocrine system, serving as a secondary mode of control and coordination in animal bodies.

Endocrine glands in human beings (a) male, (b) female

Role of Animal Hormones in regulating Growth and Development: 

  • Animal hormones also play a pivotal role in growth and development. 
  • Endocrine Glands Overview: Other endocrine glands  in the body include the thyroid, pancreas, and adrenals.
  • Thyroxine Hormone Synthesis and Functions: It is synthesized in the thyroid gland with the aid of iodine, regulates carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism, contributing to balanced growth.
    • Example of thyroid-related disease: Goitre, caused by insufficient production of thyroxine.
    • Example of pancreas-related disease: Diabetes, resulting from inadequate insulin production.
  • Role of Adrenal Glands in Salt Balance: They secrete hormones to maintain the correct salt balance in the blood.
    • Adrenal glands also produce adrenaline, aiding the body’s response to stress (anger, embarrassment, or worry).
  • Thyroid and adrenals release hormones in response to orders from the pituitary gland.
  • Pituitary  Gland’s secretion of growth hormone: It secretes growth hormone, which governs overall growth and development. Deficiency in growth hormone during childhood can lead to dwarfism
  • Hormonal basis of Puberty-related changes: They are attributed to the secretion of testosterone in males and estrogen in females.

Some important hormones and their functions

What role do animal hormones play in preserving physiological balance, especially when it comes to controlling blood sugar regulation?

  • Hormones are integral to maintaining physiological balance, as exemplified by insulin. 
  • Insulin Production in the Pancreas: The pancreas produces insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. 
    • Individuals with diabetes may require insulin injections to manage blood sugar. 
  • Feedback mechanisms in Hormone Release: It ensures precise timing and quantities of hormone release. 
    • For instance, the pancreas detects changes in blood sugar levels and adjusts insulin secretion to maintain equilibrium
  • Diverse Role of Hormones in Animal Physiology: Hormones, therefore, serve diverse roles in animal physiology, contributing to both immediate responses and long-term growth and development.

How do animal hormones control and influence the process of frog and insect metamorphosis during their life cycles?

  • The Life cycle of a frog involves metamorphosis from tadpole to adult.
  • Meaning: Metamorphosis is the transition from larva to adult.
    • In insects, metamorphosis is controlled by insect hormones.
    • In frogs, metamorphosis is controlled by thyroxine, a hormone produced by the thyroid gland.
  • Thyroxine production in frogs requires iodine present in water.
  • If the water lacks sufficient iodine, tadpoles cannot undergo metamorphosis to become adults.

How do animal hormones contribute to the existence and reproduction of species?

  • Reproduction and Individual Survival: Organisms reproduce despite it not being crucial for individual survival. 
  • Energy Requirement in Reproduction: While reproduction requires energy, the sheer abundance of individuals in a species is what draws our attention. 
  • Significance of Abundance in Reproduction: Without reproduction, the existence of a single non-reproducing organism might go unnoticed. 
  • Importance of Similarity in species: The similarity between individuals in a species allows us to identify and classify them. 
  • Contribution to Life Processes through reproduction: Reproduction contributes to the overall life processes and organization of living organisms.
  • Species Continuation: The Essence of Reproduction: So, in essence, reproduction ensures the continuation of a species and the perpetuation of recognizable traits.
Hypothalamus plays an important role in the release of many hormones. For example, when the level of growth hormone is low, the hypothalamus releases growth hormone releasing factor which stimulates the pituitary gland to release growth hormone.

Need help preparing for UPSC or State PSCs?

Connect with our experts to get free counselling & start preparing

Know about Physics Wallah

Physics Wallah is an Indian online education platform, that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students of classes 6 to 12 and those preparing for JEE and NEET exams. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample papers, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers, which makes us a one-stop solution for all resources. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.

We Stand Out because

We successfully provide students with intensive courses by India's qualified & experienced faculties. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.

Our Key Focus Areas

Physics Wallah’s main focus is to create accessible learning experiences for students all over India. With courses like Lakshya, Udaan, Arjuna & many others, we have been able to provide a ready solution for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formulae to giving e-books of eminent authors, PW aims to provide reliable solutions for student prep.

What Makes Us Different

Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others.

Aiming for UPSC?

Download Our App

# #
Quick Revise Now !
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD SOON
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

<div class="new-fform">






    </div>

    Subscribe our Newsletter
    Sign up now for our exclusive newsletter and be the first to know about our latest Initiatives, Quality Content, and much more.
    *Promise! We won't spam you.
    Yes! I want to Subscribe.