Fundamentals of Biochemistry - Filippovich Yu. B. 1999

Hormones and Their Role in Metabolism
General Concept of Hormones

More than a century ago, in 1849, the physiologist A. Berthold first conducted an experiment demonstrating that the effects of castration can be reversed by testicular transplantation. A few years later (1855), the English physician T. A. Addison established that the destruction of the Adrenal Glands causes bronze-colored Skin (Addison's disease). By the end of the 19th century, several more instances had been discovered where substances produced in certain Organs or Tissues—primarily in the Endocrine glands—had a profound impact on the body. This provided the basis for

E. H. Starling in 1905 to propose the term Hormones (from the Greek hormao meaning to urge on, arouse, or excite) to designate chemical compounds produced by the endocrine glands that exert a powerful influence on metabolic processes and the functioning of organs and tissues. It was later revealed that substances with analogous Functions are also produced outside the endocrine glands.

Hormones integrate METABOLISM, meaning they regulate the subordination and interconnectedness of diverse Chemical Reactions across various organs and tissues, as well as in the Organism as a whole. The very emergence of hormones in the course of living matter's evolution is undoubtedly linked to its cellular differentiation and the isolation of tissues and organs whose activities require fine coordination. In turn, The activity of the endocrine glands producing these hormones is controlled by the Central Nervous system. A classic example of this is the Pituitary Gland, an endocrine organ that forms an integral, direct part of the Brain.