Tetraiodothyronine, also known as thyroxine, is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. Its chemical formula is C15H11I4NO4 and its systematic name is 4-(4-hydroxy-3,5-diiodophenoxy)-3,5-diiodophenylalanine. The IPA phonetic transcription of the word is /ˌtɛtræaɪoʊˈdoʊθaɪroʊniːn/. The word is spelled as tetra- (meaning four), iodo- (meaning containing iodine), and thyronine (referring to a thyroid hormone). Mastery in spelling and understanding of scientific language is vital for those in the medical field working with endocrine disorders.
Tetraiodothyronine, commonly known as thyroxine (T4), is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland in vertebrates. It is synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine, and it plays a crucial role in regulating the body's metabolism.
The chemical formula of tetraiodothyronine consists of four atoms of iodine, hence its name. This hormone is responsible for controlling the rate at which cells convert nutrients into energy, known as the basal metabolic rate. It accomplishes this by binding to specific receptors in the nucleus of cells throughout the body.
Tetraiodothyronine has various functions that impact a wide range of bodily processes. It helps regulate growth and development, as well as maintaining body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. It is also involved in proper brain development and function, as well as reproductive health.
While tetraiodothyronine is produced by the thyroid gland, its production is regulated by the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland releases thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which triggers the production and release of tetraiodothyronine. The levels of tetraiodothyronine in the body are controlled by a negative feedback loop, where high levels of the hormone inhibit its further production, and low levels stimulate its production.
Issues such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can occur when there is an imbalance in the production and regulation of tetraiodothyronine. Medications, such as synthetic forms of the hormone, are commonly used to address such conditions.
The word "tetraiodothyronine" is derived from combining several roots and suffixes:
1. "Tetra-" - derived from the Greek word "tetra", meaning "four".
2. "Iodo-" - derived from the element "iodine".
3. "Thyronine" - derived from "thyroid" and the suffix "-ine", which is commonly used to indicate a class of organic compounds.
4. "-One" - a suffix commonly used to indicate a ketone, which is a functional group present in the structure of tetraiodothyronine.
Therefore, "tetraiodothyronine" can be understood to mean a compound with four iodine atoms attached to a thyronine molecule. This term is more commonly known as "thyroxine" or the chemical abbreviation "T4", which is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland.