Question

What is the function of calcitonin?
A. It increases the calcium level in blood.
B. It decreases calcium level in the blood
C. It stimulates steroid synthesis
D. It increases the absorption of water in kidney tubules

Answer 1

Hint:
Calcitonin is a hormone present in the human body that is released by the thyroid gland. The function lies in the name of the hormone as it is concerned with Calcium and phosphate. It opposes the function of the parathyroid hormone.

Complete answer:
The function of Calcitonin is to decrease calcium levels in the blood. So, the correct answer is option(B).
Now, let’s review the hormone Calcitonin.
* Calcitonin is a hormone that is created in organisms like human beings by the parafollicular cells (generally known as C-cells) of the thyroid organ.
* Calcitonin is engaged with assisting with managing levels of calcium and phosphate in the blood, restricting the activity of the parathyroid hormone. This implies it acts to lessen calcium levels in the blood.
* Be that as it may, the significance of this part in organisms is muddled, as patients who have low or elevated levels of calcitonin show no unfriendly impacts.

Calcitonin lessens calcium levels in the blood by two principal systems:

* It restrains the action of osteoclasts, which are the cells liable for separating bone. At the point when a bone is separated, the calcium contained in the bone is delivered into the circulation system. Accordingly, the hindrance of the osteoclasts by calcitonin legitimately lessens the measure of calcium delivered into the blood. Nonetheless, this restraint has been demonstrated to be brief.
* It can likewise diminish the resorption of calcium in the kidneys, again prompting lower blood calcium levels.
Also, the Antidiuretic hormone(ADH) is responsible for the absorption of water in kidney tubules.

Additional information: If there is less amount of calcitonin, there is no deleterious effect on organisms. But high amounts can lead to medullary cancer.

Note: Calcitonin as the name itself suggests is not only concerned with Calcium but Phosphorus is also involved. It is not only present in mammals but is also found in fish, reptiles and birds. This hormone plays a significant role in the body and its deficiency may lead to the accumulation of calcium in different tissues.