Question

Which of the following best describes the hormones?
A) Hormones are relatively unstable and work only in the area adjacent to the gland produced them.
B) Hormones are stable, long lasting chemicals released from the gland.
C) Hormones are chemical messengers that are released into the environment.
D) All hormones are lipid soluble.

Answer 1

Hint:Hormones are called the chemical messengers of our body. They are secreted by the endocrine glands directly into the bloodstream. They are called the regulator which controls the physiology and behaviour.

Complete answer:
To answer this question, we must know about hormones and their properties.
Hormones are the chemicals which are secreted by the specific endocrine glands directly into the bloodstream. They are target specific and act on the particular target irrespective of the proximity. They affect the distant cells by binding with the receptor proteins. The hormones reach the target organ through the circulatory system. (Statement A, C is incorrect).
The hormones are made up of either steroid like the sex hormones, or proteins, eicosonoids. Amino acid based hormones are water soluble whereas the steroid based hormones are lipid soluble which help them cross the plasma membrane. (Statement D is incorrect)
The hormones are highly stable and are long lasting as they have to travel a long distance to reach the target site. For example the hypothalamus situated in the brain controls all the endocrine glands situated throughout the body. (Statement B is correct)

Thus the correct answer is option (B).

Note:Few examples of hormone are the sex hormones testosterone, progesterone, estrogens secreted by the gonads controls the reproduction, pancreas secrete insulin which regulates the blood glucose level, Adrenal gland secretes adrenalin which controls the growth and metabolism.