Hormones Heredity

The endocrine system in the human body stores a chemical known as hormones. Hormones are released by endocrine glands into the bloodstream and travel throughout the body carrying messages. A hormonal impulse is similar to a nerve impulse only much slower. The messages carried by the hormones trigger different behaviors. Hormones can affect behavior in many ways such as: Mental activity or tiredness, boredom or excitement, sexual behavior, the ability to maintain focus, boldness, the potency of stress, and the admiration of friendship. Hormones can also be a leading factor in whether a person is in a good mood or a bad mood (Morris & Maisto, 2005).

Endocrine glands located in different parts of the body all release unique hormones. The thyroid gland, which is located below the larynx, releases the hormone Thyroxin. Thyroxin regulates the body’s rate metabolism and thus how alert and energetic people are. When a person’s thyroid gland is not functioning properly their hormone level drop, they have the desire to sleep and have a sluggish metabolism. This is known as hypothyroidism. When a person thyroid overacts and have too much of the hormone in their system, they what is call hyperthyroidism. “Because hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are inherited condition, a person’s family members may also develop thyroid problems and should have their thyroid function checked.” (Nicollet, 2002).

Embedded in the thyroid gland are the parathyroids, there are four of them. They control and balance the level of calcium and phosphates in the body, this can influence levels of excitability. Just like the thyroid, one can inherit hypoparathyroidism (under activity) but not hyperparathyroidism (over activity). The Pineal Gland located in the middle of the brain secrets a hormone melatonin, which helps relate sleep-wake cycles. The disturbance of this hormone is responsible for, in part, “jet lag”. The pancreas controls the level of sugar in the blood by secreting tow hormones:...