Chemical Coordination And Integration

Insulin is a hormone that helps in the regulation of blood sugar level in the body. They are produced by pancreases from the beta cells that are located in the islets of Langerhans. Insulin helps in the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream. There it is used as a source of energy. The blood sugar level is increased in the blood just after eating food, insulin is released then to maintain the level of sugar. There are specific receptors of insulin that help in the uptake of glucose through muscles and where they can also be stored for energy. The glucose level is thus maintained by the body through insulin.

Any disturbance in the insulin level can cause diseases. In the case of Type I diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin due to the damage in the beta cells. On the other hand, in case of type II diabetes, the cells become resistant to the effect of insulin. These people need to take insulin from outside to maintain the glucose level in the cell.

Read more from chapter: Human Health and Disease

The menstrual cycle is controlled by several endocrinal parameters.

• At the beginning of the cycle, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) of the pituitary commences the development of an ovarian follicle.
• A growing ovarian follicle slowly secretes an increasing oestrogen.
• Then, this leads to a sudden surge of LH secretion.
• As the LH (luteinising hormone) level in the blood increases suddenly, ovulation takes place.
• Thus only FSH or LH cannot control all the events of the menstrual cycle.
• Progesterone is released by a corpus luteum after ovulation which prepares the uterus for a possible pregnancy.
• If no fertilisation is there, the progesterone level falls and there is a beginning of a new cycle.

Mainly FSH, LH, and Estrogen hormones control the menstrual cycle in human beings.

• Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that leads to the overactivity (hypersecretion) of the thyroid gland — a condition called hyperthyroidism.
• The immune system produces abnormal antibodies (TSI – Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulins) that mimic TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) and stimulate the thyroid to produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormones.
• Symptoms may include:
  • Increased metabolism
  • Weight loss
  • Heat intolerance
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Bulging eyes (exophthalmos)

Incorrect options:

• Option 1: Hyposecretion of thyroid leads to conditions like myxedema or cretinism, not Graves' disease.
• Option 3: Hyposecretion of adrenal gland causes Addison's disease.
• Option 4: Hypersecretion of adrenal gland can cause Cushing's syndrome.

Hormonal Antagonism

In the context of hormones, antagonistic hormones are those that have opposite effects on the body. When they work together, one hormone counteracts or opposes the action of the other.

Hormonal Pairing

The correct answer to the question is that the pair of hormones which are not antagonistic to each other is Relaxin - Inhibin.

Explanation:

• Relaxin: This hormone is primarily involved in pregnancy and childbirth. It helps in relaxing the uterine muscles, the cervix, and the ligaments of the pelvis to prepare the body for labor and delivery.
• Inhibin: Inhibin is involved in the regulation of the reproductive system. It primarily inhibits the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland, thus regulating the reproductive cycle.

Both Relaxin and Inhibin have different roles related to reproduction, but they do not have opposing or antagonistic effects. They work in different aspects of the reproductive system, but not in a manner that directly opposes each other.

Antagonistic Hormones (for comparison):

• Insulin - Glucagon: These two hormones have opposite effects on blood sugar regulation. Insulin lowers blood glucose levels, while glucagon raises them.
• Parathyroid hormone (PTH) - Calcitonin: PTH increases blood calcium levels, while calcitonin decreases them.

Conclusion:

The pairing of Relaxin - Inhibin is not antagonistic as they do not have opposite effects, unlike other hormone pairs like Insulin - Glucagon or PTH - Calcitonin.