A hormone (from Greek horman - "to set in motion") is a chemical messenger from one cell (or group of cells) to another. All multicellular organisms produce hormones (including plants - see article phytohormone).

The best-known animal hormones are those produced by endocrine glands of vertebrate animals, but hormones are produced by nearly every organ system and tissue type in an animal body. Hormone molecules are secreted (released) directly into the bloodstream; some hormones, called ectohormones, aren't secreted into the blood stream, they move by circulation or diffusion to their target cells, which may be nearby cells (paracrine action) in the same tissue or cells of a distant organ of the body. The function of hormones is to serve as a signal to the target cells; the action of hormones is determined by the pattern of secretion and the signal transduction of the receiving tissue.

Hormone actions vary widely, but can include stimulation or inhibition of growth, induction or suppression of apoptosis (programmed cell death), activation or inhibition of the immune system, regulating metabolism and preparation for a new activity (e.g., fighting, fleeing, mating) or phase of life (e.g., puberty, caring for offspring, menopause). In many cases, one hormone may regulate the production and release of other hormones. Many of the responses to hormone signals can be described as serving to regulate metabolic activity of an organ or tissue. Hormones also control the reproductive cycle of virtually all multicellular organisms.

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Did you know that your brain controls the release of Fat Burning Hormones after each meal? It's true http://bit.ly/GMljI
fatgone4idiots (Gary N) Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:02:48 -0000
Did you know that your brain controls the release of Fat Burning Hormones after each meal? It's true http://bit.ly/GMljI
SO excited to see @Jessica_Alyss today! But I HATE waking up with my skin looking like a 12 year old's. Damn you, hormones.
karlyn_beth (Karly Stachelski) Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:59:33 -0000
SO excited to see @Jessica_Alyss today! But I HATE waking up with my skin looking like a 12 year old's. Damn you, hormones.
@BeautifulHelena Yea.. Your body gets use to the hormones.
AllThingsChavon (ChavonB) Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:42:35 -0000
@BeautifulHelena Yea.. Your body gets use to the hormones.
@RedChevy14 haha no my dad does a great job of figuring out the hormones of women! its just most, not all, but most dont get it!
aashannon (Amanda Shannon) Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:37:19 -0000
@RedChevy14 haha no my dad does a great job of figuring out the hormones of women! its just most, not all, but most dont get it!
Somehow I never get tired of aKing's Safe as Houses. Or aKing in general. Although that probably has something to do with my hormones.
k_r_isis (Kristia van Heerden) Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:22:58 -0000
Somehow I never get tired of aKing's Safe as Houses. Or aKing in general. Although that probably has something to do with my hormones.
#dontjudgeme RT @shanaisthoro: @corrie1984 lmfaoooooooooo it is early. calm yall hormones down. I will be back at it around 3pm lol.
corrie1984 (Corrie Randall ) Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:21:56 -0000
#dontjudgeme RT @shanaisthoro: @corrie1984 lmfaoooooooooo it is early. calm yall hormones down. I will be back at it around 3pm lol.

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