Humoral regulation: definition, features, functions and methods. Humoral regulation is carried out with the help of ...

The complex structure of the human body at the moment is the pinnacle of evolutionary transformations. Such a system requires special methods of coordination. Humoral regulation is carried out with the help of hormones. But the nervous is the coordination of activities with the help of the organ system of the same name.

What is the regulation of body functions

The human body has a very complex structure. From cells to systems of organs, it is an interconnected system, for the normal functioning of which a clear regulation mechanism must be created. It is carried out in two ways. The first method is the fastest. It is called nervous regulation. This process embodies the system of the same name. There is an erroneous opinion that humoral regulation is carried out with the help of nerve impulses. However, this is not at all the case. Humoral regulation is carried out with the help of hormones that enter the body fluids.

Features of nervous regulation

This system includes the central and peripheral department. If the humoral regulation of the body's functions is carried out with the help of chemicals, then this method is a "transport main", which binds the organism into a single whole. This process takes place quite quickly. Just imagine that you touched your hand to a hot iron or in winter you barefoot left on the snow. The reaction of the body will be almost instantaneous. This has an important protective value, contributes to both adaptation and survival in different conditions. The nervous system underlies the congenital and pre-acquired body reactions. The first are unconditioned reflexes. These include respiratory, sucking, blinking. And over time, the acquired reactions are formed in a person. These are unconditioned reflexes.

Features of humoral regulation

Humoral regulation of function is carried out with the help of specialized organs. They are called glands and are combined into a separate system called the endocrine system. These organs are formed by a special kind of epithelial tissue and are capable of regeneration. The action of hormones is of a long-term nature and continues throughout the life of a person.

What are hormones

Glands stand out hormones. Thanks to a special structure, these substances accelerate or normalize the various physiological processes in the body. For example, in the base of the brain is the gland of the pituitary gland. It produces growth hormone, as a result of which the human body increases in size for more than twenty years.

Glands: features of structure and functioning

So, humoral regulation in the body is carried out with the help of special organs - glands. They ensure the constancy of the internal environment, or homeostasis. Their action is of the nature of feedback. For example, such an important indicator for the body, such as the level of sugar in the blood, is regulated by the hormone insulin in the upper limit and glucagon - in the lower limit. This is the mechanism of action of the endocrine system.

Glands of external secretion

Humoral regulation is carried out with the help of glands. However, depending on the characteristics of the structure, these organs are grouped into three groups: external (exocrine), internal (endocrine) and mixed secretion. Examples of the first group are salivary, sebaceous and teary. They are characterized by the presence of their own excretory ducts. Exocrine glands secrete biologically active substances on the surface of the skin or in the body cavity.

Endocrine glands

Glands of internal secretion secrete hormones into the blood. They do not have their own excretory ducts, so humoral regulation is carried out with the help of liquid media of the body. Getting into the blood or lymph, they are carried throughout the body, they come to every cell of it. The result of this is the acceleration or deceleration of various processes. It can be growth, sexual and psychological development, metabolism, the activities of individual organs and their systems.

Hypo-and hyperfunction of the endocrine glands

The activity of each endocrine gland has "two sides of the medal." Let us consider this with concrete examples. If the pituitary gland releases an excessive amount of growth hormone, gigantism develops, and if this substance is deficient, dwarfism is observed. Both are deviations from normal development.

The thyroid gland secretes several hormones at once. These are thyroxine, calcitonin and triiodothyronine. With their insufficient number, babies develop cretinism, which manifests itself in a lag in mental development. If hypofunction manifests itself in adulthood, it is accompanied by swelling of the mucous membrane and subcutaneous tissue, hair loss and drowsiness. If the amount of hormones of this gland exceeds the limit of normal, a person may develop a disease of the base. It manifests itself in the increased excitability of the nervous system, trembling of the limbs, and unreasonable anxiety. All this inevitably leads to emaciation and loss of vitality.

The glands of internal secretion also include parathyroid, thymus and adrenal glands. The last glands at the time of a stressful situation give off the adrenaline hormone. Its presence in the blood provides mobilization of all vital forces and the ability to adapt and survive in non-standard conditions for the organism. First of all, this is expressed in providing the muscular system with the necessary amount of energy. The hormone of the reverse action, which is also excreted by the adrenal glands, is called norepinephrine. It is also very important for the body, as it protects it from excessive excitability, loss of energy, energy, rapid wear. This is another example of the reverse action of the human endocrine system.

Glands of mixed secretion

These include the pancreas and the sex glands. The principle of their work is double. The pancreas produces two kinds of hormones. This is insulin and glucagon. They, respectively, lower and increase the level of glucose in the blood. In a healthy human body, this regulation passes unnoticed. However, if this function is violated, a serious illness occurs, which is called diabetes mellitus. People with this diagnosis need artificial insulin. As the external secretion of the pancreas secretes digestive juice. This substance is released into the first section of the small intestine - the duodenum. Under its influence, there is a process of splitting complex biopolymers to simple ones. It is in this department that proteins and lipids break down into their constituent parts.

The sex glands also release various hormones. This is male testosterone and female estrogen. These substances begin to act even in the embryonic period. During the embryonic development of sex hormones affect the formation of sex, and then form certain sexual characteristics. As glands of external secretion they form gametes. Man, like all mammalian animals, is a dioecious organism. His sexual system has a general outline of the structure and is represented by the sex glands, their ducts and directly the cells. In women, these are the ovaries with their paths and ovules. In men, the reproductive system consists of testes, channels and sperm cells. In this case, these glands act as glands of external secretion.

Nervous and humoral regulation are closely interrelated. They work as a single mechanism. Humoral is more ancient in origin, has a long-term effect and acts on the entire body, as hormones are carried by blood and come to every cell. A nerve works point-by-point, at a particular time and in a certain place on the principle of "here and now." After changing the conditions, its operation ceases.

Thus, the humoral regulation of physiological processes is carried out with the help of the endocrine system. These organs are able to release into the fluid media special biologically active substances, which are called hormones.