Glossary Entry Hormone Corporate Research J.N. Whipple, Inc. Back to Glossary Index Hormone Hormones are biochemical substances produced by specific cells or tissues which regulate the growth or function of other cells or tissues in the body. Hormones are the intercellular communicators of an organism because they allow cells in completely different parts of the body to communicate with and give commands to other cells, thus causing changes or altering activities in cells or tissues located elsewhere in an organism.
Many hormones are proteins .
For example, insulin, which is secreted by specialized cells in the pancreas, promotes the uptake of glucose by cells and therefore regulates its concentration in the blood. A shortage of insulin in the body prevents cells from utilizing glucose and causes diabetes mellitus.