Tropic hormone
Tropic hormones are
thyroxine, which targets the hypothalamus and therefore can be considered a tropic hormone.[2]
The term Ancient Greek τροπικός (tropikós), in the sense "of or pertaining to a turn or change", meaning "causing a change, affecting"; this is the same origin as tropic and trope. This should not be confused with trophic, as in similar-sounding trophic hormone – the words and concepts are both unrelated.[3] Tropic hormones are contrasted with non-tropic hormones, which directly stimulate target cells.
Examples
Anterior pituitary
Tropic hormones from the anterior pituitary include:
- thyroid hormone.[1]: 718
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH or corticotropin) – stimulates the adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids.[1]: 718
- testes.[1]: 718
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) – stimulates the maturation of eggs and production of sperm.[1]: 718 [2]
Hypothalamus
In turn, the
hypothalamo-hypophyseal portal system and act on the anterior pituitary.[1]
: 720–721
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 0-7167-3873-2.
- ^ a b
Cambell, Neil A.; Jane B. Reece. Biology (6th ed.). Sinauer Associates. ISBN 0-321-27045-2.
- .