Question

Multiple hormones can interact with each other to affect the response of the target cells in a variety of ways.

1. Using a specific example, describe how two hormones can work permissively to affect the target organ.
2. Predict how physiology is altered at the cellular and organismal level if a person is deficient in one of the hormones.

Answer 1

A. Hormones are secreted through endocrine glands. Some of the hormones work together to produce an action from the target organ.
When the blood volume decreases aldosterone secreted from adrenal gland and ADH secreted from anterior pituitary acts on the renal tubules to increase sodium and water retention, thus increasing the blood volume.
B. When the levels of ADH increases as seen in SIADH, there is an increased reabsorption of water leading to decreased urine bolume. Kncreased ADH also reduces the aldosterone levels which results in increased secretion of sodium in urine. This results in hyponatremia producing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, irritability, confusion, seizures and loss of consciousness.