Define Endocrinology
Endocrinology is a branch of science that deals with the endocrine-related body activities and diseases. The first study of endocrinology is attributed to Prof. A. Berthold in 1848. Prof. Berthold experimented on animals, applying the principles of comparative endocrinology. The most apparent application of endocrinology is in the clinical or medical industries. Other applications include nutrition and toxicology.
Other People Are Reading
-
Definition
-
Endocrinology is the study of the endocrine system, including the endocrine glands (e.g., gonads, thyroid glands) and the hormones produced by each gland. A hormone is a chemical messenger that transmits signals or information from one cell to another.
In endocrinology, experts and physicians trace the pathway of hormones and its effects to your body. For instance, the hormone insulin promotes the use of glucose when cells detect an increased amount of sugar in your blood.
History
-
The first studies of endocrinology, according to the Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, "was conducted by Professor Arnold Adolph Berthold at the University of Göttingen in 1848-1849." Berthold's experiment involved removal and replacement of roosters' testes. After conducting the experiment, Berthold concluded that the male sex organ releases substances, which induce the development of male characteristics. The substances released are now known as the hormones.
-
Principles
-
The principle behind the study of endocrinology involve, mainly, the mechanism of hormones. This mechanism includes the synthesis, functions, interactions, mutations and disorders relating the endocrine system to the hormones. Furthermore, hormonal activities related to the neurological and cardiovascular systems are given emphasis.
Types
-
There are several types of endocrinology, including comparative, thyroid and pediatric. Pediatric endocrinology is specific to hormones of children while, thyroid endocrinology is specific to the thyroid-hormone mechanism, regardless of age. In comparative endocrinology, studies are focused in the comparison of hormonal activities between plants and animals.
Application
-
Endocrinology is primarily applied to the creation of clinical interventions for hormone and endocrine related conditions. These conditions include hormone imbalance, hormone malfunction (e.g., sending wrong signals), abnormal endocrine gland development, brain tumors and diseases such as diabetes mellitus (type 1).
Endocrinology may also be applied to nutrition, pharmacology and toxicology, all dealing with the study of the deficiency, overdose and normal amounts of hormone-triggering foods and medicines.
-
