Endocrine System — Introduction to the Endocrine System + 6 more topics

Hormones can be:
* Steroid hormones: Made from cholesterol (e.g., testosterone, estrogen, cortisol). They can easily pass through cell membranes to act inside cells.
* Non-steroid hormones: Made from amino acids (e.g., insulin, growth hormone). They usually bind to receptors on the cell surface, triggering a response inside the cell.

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Here's a breakdown of its main roles:

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Hormones are generally classified into two main groups based on their chemical structure, which significantly impacts how they're made, stored, released, and transported throughout your body.

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Your endocrine system relies on several mechanisms to ensure hormones are at the right concentration in your blood. Too much or too little of a hormone can have serious consequences, so tight regulation is crucial.

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Your endocrine system relies on precise control mechanisms to keep hormone levels within a healthy range. Without this control, you'd have too much or too little of essential substances, leading to serious health issues. There are three main ways hormone secretion is regulated: humoral, neural, and hormonal stimuli.