Hormones are essential to maintaining homeostasis mainly because
a. they catalyze specific chemical reactions in brain cells
b. the body requires them for digesting food
c. they cause specific responses in specific cells
d. hormones of the other endocrine glands of the body activate the pituitary gland
I am truly confused with this ..idek what the answer might be
A). This is true to a point.
B.) This is also true.
C.) This is also true. Although I would think this is the correct answer if it didn't say specific.
D.) This is also true, only because negative and positive feedback plays a role in which stimulating and inhibitory hormones are secreted by the hypothalamus.
To determine the correct answer, let's break down the options and analyze each one:
a. Hormones catalyze specific chemical reactions in brain cells:
This statement is not accurate. Hormones do not directly catalyze chemical reactions in cells. Enzymes, not hormones, are responsible for catalyzing specific chemical reactions.
b. The body requires hormones for digesting food:
This statement is also incorrect. While hormones such as gastrin, secretin, and cholecystokinin do play a role in regulating digestion, they are not necessary for the actual process of digesting food.
c. Hormones cause specific responses in specific cells:
This option is a key concept in understanding the role of hormones in maintaining homeostasis. Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by endocrine glands, which travel through the bloodstream to target specific cells or tissues. They bind to specific receptors on the target cells and trigger a response. This signaling allows hormones to regulate various physiological processes, ensuring the body maintains a stable internal environment.
d. Hormones from other endocrine glands activate the pituitary gland:
While the pituitary gland is indeed controlled by hormones from other glands, this statement does not directly relate to the role of hormones in maintaining homeostasis. The pituitary gland itself produces various hormones that regulate other endocrine glands, but this is not the main reason why hormones are essential to maintaining homeostasis.
Considering the options, the correct answer is:
c. Hormones cause specific responses in specific cells
Hormones play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis by regulating various processes in the body. They act as signaling molecules, allowing communication between different cells and systems. By binding to specific receptors on target cells, hormones initiate specific biological responses necessary to keep the body's internal environment in balance.