Growth hormone

The idea

Growth hormone, secreted by the pituitary, regulates growth and development of the body; its deficiency in childhood leads to dwarfism.

Short and tall

Children grow at different speeds. Some people are very short and others are very tall. Doctors know that a hormone is involved in growth.

Which gland do you think secretes the hormone that regulates growth?

• The pituitary
• The pancreas
• The adrenal glands

Growth hormone

Press Next step.

The hormone for growth

Growth hormone, as its name says, regulates how the body grows and develops. Too little of it in childhood leads to dwarfism.

Growth hormone, secreted by the pituitary, regulates growth and development of the body. Its deficiency in childhood leads to dwarfism.

Notes

Growth hormone, secreted by the pituitary, regulates growth and development of the body; its deficiency in childhood leads to dwarfism.

Check yourself

Which gland secretes growth hormone?

What does growth hormone regulate?

What does a deficiency of growth hormone in childhood lead to?

• The pituitary — correct. Yes!
• The thyroid gland. The thyroid gland makes thyroxin.
• The pancreas. The pancreas produces insulin.
• The blood sugar level. Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels.
• Growth and development of the body — correct. Yes!
• The rate of breathing in a scary situation. Adrenaline increases the breathing rate in a scary situation.
• Goitre. Goitre can result from iodine deficiency.
• A swollen neck from a lack of insulin. A swollen neck is a symptom of goitre, which can come from iodine deficiency.
• Dwarfism — correct. Yes!