The word "parhormone" is spelled using the phonetic transcription /pɑrˈhɔrmən/. The "par" prefix refers to the gland in the body that secretes the hormone. The "hormone" suffix indicates that the substance is a signaling molecule that regulates bodily functions. The "h" in "hormone" is silent, which can cause confusion in pronunciation. However, the correct way to say the word is "par-hormone," with emphasis on the first syllable of "par." Parhormones are critical for homeostasis, growth, and development in many organisms.
A parhormone, also known as a prohormone, is a substance that serves as a precursor to a hormone within the body. It refers to a biologically inactive compound that is converted into an active hormone through various biochemical processes.
Parhormones are synthesized and released by specialized cells or glands within the body, primarily the endocrine system. These precursor compounds are typically produced in response to specific stimuli or signals, such as hormonal changes, stress, or environmental factors.
Once released, parhormones travel through the bloodstream to their target cells or tissues, where they are enzymatically modified or metabolized into their active hormone form. This conversion process may involve the removal of specific functional groups, addition of chemical moieties, or alteration of molecular structures.
Upon transformation, parhormones exert their biological effects by binding to specific receptors on target cells. They modulate various physiological processes, including growth, metabolism, reproduction, and immune response, among others. By acting as intermediates in hormone synthesis, parhormones play a crucial role in regulating the endocrine system and maintaining homeostasis within the body.
It is important to note that parhormones should not be confused with prohormones used in the context of bodybuilding or performance enhancement. In the latter context, prohormones refer to a class of hormone derivatives or synthetic substances that are often marketed as anabolic agents and purportedly convert to active steroids within the body.
A catabolic product supposed to have a hormone-like function.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "parhormone" is derived from the combination of two elements: "para-" and "hormone".
The prefix "para-" comes from the Greek word "para", which means "beside" or "alongside". In the context of "parhormone", it is used to indicate that these hormones are produced and work in close association with another primary hormone.
The term "hormone" itself comes from the Greek word "hormon", meaning "that which sets in motion" or "to urge on". It was first coined by English physiologist Ernest Starling in 1905 to describe chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands that travel through the bloodstream to target tissues or organs, regulating various physiological processes.
Thus, "parhormone" refers to a hormone that acts alongside or in conjunction with another primary hormone, typically playing a regulating or modulating role.