Imagine your body is a giant kingdom with many different jobs to be done. Hormones are like the royal messengers, carrying messages from one part of the body to another to keep everything running smoothly.

• Other Names: You might not hear other names for hormones very often, but sometimes scientists refer to specific hormones by their chemical namesImagine you’re in a giant store with shelves full of ingredients, but the labels aren’t written in English! That’s kind of what it’s like for scientists and doctors dealing with all the different chemicals in the world. • Other Names: You… Read More.

What do hormones do?

• Hormones travel through your bloodstream, delivering messages that tell your organs, tissues, and cellsCells are the basic building blocks of all living things. Think of them like tiny rooms that make up a much larger house—your body! Examples of cells: • Animal cells: These make up animals like you, cats, and birds. • Plant… Read More what to do.
• They affect many things in your body, like growth, development, metabolismImagine your body as a bustling factory. In this factory, “metabolize” is the process of taking raw materials (like food) and transforming them into usable products (like energy). It’s the complex network of chemical reactions that sustains living things, ensuring… Read More (how your body uses energy), mood, and reproduction.
• For example, a hormone called insulinYour pancreas produces the super hormone insulin, which is essential to your body’s metabolism. Here’s a breakdown to make it clear: Definition: Insulin acts like a master key that unlocks the door for sugar (glucose) to enter your cells. Glucose… Read More tells your cells to absorbAbsorption refers to the process of how your body takes in nutrients from the food you eat. Imagine it like a gateway that allows the broken-down bits of your food to pass from your digestive system into your bloodstream, where… Read More sugarIn everyday terms, sugar refers to the sweet, crystalline substance we add to coffee, bake into cakes, or find naturally in fruits. But from a scientific perspective, sugar encompasses a broader category of molecules called carbohydrates. These are the body’s… Read More from your bloodBlood is the life force coursing through your veins and arteries, delivering vital oxygen and nutrients to every cell in your body while whisking away waste products. It’s a complex, dynamic fluid—not just a simple red liquid. Consider it a… Read More for energy.

Hormones vs. VitaminsA vitamin is an organic molecule, which means it’s a naturally occurring compound made up mostly of carbon. Our bodies need vitamins in small amounts to function properly. They help with many important jobs, including: • Building and maintaining healthy… Read More and MineralsA mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid substance with a definite chemical composition and an orderly crystalline structure. Unlike vitamins, which are organic (made by living things), minerals come from the earth and don’t contain carbon as a main… Read More

• Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrientsEssential nutrients are like the irreplaceable actors in a play – your body absolutely needs them to function properly. These nutrients come from the food you eat and are used for various vital processes, including fueling your metabolism. • Synonyms: Well-documented… Read More your body needs in small amounts to function properly. You typically get them from food.
• Hormones, on the other hand, are produced by your body’s glands (like the thyroid or pituitary gland).
• While both are important for health, they work in different ways.

EtymologyEtymology is the study of the origin and history of words. It’s like detective work, tracing how words have changed over time and moved between languages. Think of it like this: • Words have a long history, just like old… Read More (Word OriginsWhat is an origin? An origin is the starting point, the place or source where something begins. It’s like the very first chapter in the story of that thing. Examples: • The origin of a river: Where the river first… Read More)

• “Hormone” comes from the Greek word “hormaein,” which means “to set in motion” or “to urge on.”
• This makes sense because hormones tell your body to take action!

Here are some additional points to remember:

• There are many different types of hormones, each with a specific job.
• Hormone levels can change throughout your life, depending on your age, health, and even time of day.
• Sometimes, hormone imbalances can lead to health problems.