How Do You Spell PARAHORMONE?

1. Parahormone is a term that is particularly used in the field of biology and medicine to describe a substance that has hormone-like effects on the body, but is not produced by the endocrine glands. It can also refer to a hormone that is produced in one tissue and acts on another tissue within the same organism.

   Parahormones are typically peptides or proteins that are secreted by certain cells or organs and have the ability to regulate various physiological processes in the body. These substances have similar functions to hormones, such as maintaining homeostasis, regulating metabolism, or mediating growth and development.

   One important example of a parahormone is insulin-like growth factor (IGF), which is produced in the liver and acts on various tissues to stimulate cell growth and regulate metabolism. Another example is erythropoietin, a hormone produced in the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.

   Parahormones can have a broad range of effects on different organs and tissues throughout the body, leading to various physiological responses. They often work together with hormones produced by the endocrine glands to ensure proper function and regulation of the body's systems.

   In summary, parahormones are substances that mimic hormone actions or have hormonal effects, but are not produced by the traditional endocrine glands. They play a crucial role in regulating physiological processes and maintaining overall health and well-being.

2. A substance (which is a product of ordinary metabolism and not produced for a specific purpose) which acts like a hormone in modifying the activity of some distant organ; a familiar example is the action of carbon dioxide on the respiratory center.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for PARAHORMONE

The term "parahormone" is derived from the combination of the prefix "para-" and the word "hormone".

The prefix "para-" has various meanings, including "beside", "near", or "abnormal". In the context of "parahormone", it suggests that these substances are hormone-like, similar to hormones, or have an association with hormones.

The word "hormone" comes from the Greek word "hormon", which can be translated as "setting in motion" or "impelling". It refers to a chemical substance produced in a gland or organ that travels through the bloodstream to specific target cells or organs, where it exerts its effects and regulates various physiological processes.

Therefore, the term "parahormone" describes a substance that may have hormone-like functions, but it is not necessarily a classic hormone secreted by an endocrine gland.