HORMONAL DISORDERS

Nature uses a diverse spectrum of molecules as hormones, and knowing the basic structure of a hormone imparts considerable knowledge about its receptor and mechanism of action. Additionally, the simpler structures can often be exploited to generate similar molecules - agonists and antagonists - that are therapeutically valuable.

Endocrinology is the study of chemical communication systems that provide the means to control a huge number of physiologic processes. Like other communication networks, endocrine systems contain transmitters, signals and receivers that are called, respectively hormone producing cells, hormones and receptors.

Endocrinology is the study of hormones, their receptors and the intracellular signalling pathways they invoke. Distinct endocrine organs are scattered throughout the body. These are organs that are largely or at least famously devoted to secretion of hormones.

Like all molecules, hormones are synthesized, exist in a biologically active state for a time, and then degrade or are destroyed. Again, having an appreciation for the "halflife" and mode of elimination of a hormone aids in understanding its role in physiology and is critical when using hormones as drugs.