Multiple Choice
Which of the following describes a hormone that CANNOT exhibit its full effect without the presence of another hormone?
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16. The Endocrine System
Membrane Bound Receptors and Secondary Messengers
2:48 minutesProblem 11
Textbook Question
Some hormones act by:
a. Increasing the synthesis of enzymes
b. Converting an inactive enzyme into an active enzyme
c. Affecting only specific target organs
d. All of these
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the role of hormones in the body. Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands that regulate various physiological processes by binding to specific receptors on target cells.
Step 2: Analyze option (a): Hormones can increase the synthesis of enzymes by activating specific genes in the target cell's DNA, leading to the production of new proteins, including enzymes.
Step 3: Analyze option (b): Hormones can also activate existing enzymes by converting them from an inactive to an active form. This is often achieved through phosphorylation or other chemical modifications.
Step 4: Analyze option (c): Hormones are highly specific and affect only cells that have the appropriate receptors, which are typically located on specific target organs or tissues.
Step 5: Combine the information from steps 2, 3, and 4 to evaluate option (d). Since all the previous options (a, b, and c) are valid mechanisms of hormone action, the correct answer is that hormones act through all of these mechanisms.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Hormonal Action Mechanisms
Hormones can influence physiological processes through various mechanisms, including increasing enzyme synthesis, activating inactive enzymes, and targeting specific organs. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for grasping how hormones regulate bodily functions.
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Enzyme Activation
Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in the body. Hormones can convert inactive forms of enzymes into their active states, thereby enhancing metabolic pathways and physiological responses, which is essential for maintaining homeostasis.
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Target Organ Specificity
Hormones often exert their effects on specific target organs or tissues, which possess the necessary receptors to respond to the hormone. This specificity ensures that hormonal signals lead to appropriate physiological responses, highlighting the importance of receptor-hormone interactions.
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