Nonsteroid Hormones Nonsteroid hormones generally cannot pass through the cell membrane of their target cells. Nonsteroid hormones bind to receptors on cell membranes and cause the release of secondary messengers that affect cell activities. Figure 34–3 shows the action of nonsteroid hormones in cells.

  1. A nonsteroid hormone binds to receptors on the cell membrane.

  2. The binding of the hormone activates enzymes on the inner surface of the cell membrane.

  3. These enzymes release secondary messengers such as calcium ions, nucleotides, and even fatty acids to relay the hormone's message within the cell. One common secondary messenger is cAMP (cyclic AMP), which is produced from ATP.

  4. These secondary messengers can activate or inhibit a wide range of cell activities.

Steroid and nonsteroid hormones can have powerful effects on their target cells. It is therefore especially important to understand the ways in which the endocrine system regulates their production and release into the blood.

A diagram showing the action of nonsteroid hormones in the cell.

FIGURE 34–3 Nonsteroid Hormones Nonsteroid hormones bind to receptors on a target cell membrane and cause the release of secondary messengers that affect cell activities.

d

34.1 Assessment

Review Key Concepts

    1. Review What are the two components of the endocrine system?

    2. Explain Explain the difference between endocrine and exocrine glands.

    3. Compare and Contrast How are hormones and prostaglandins similar? How are they different?

    1. Review Explain how steroid hormones act on a cell.

    2. Explain Explain how nonsteroid hormones act on a cell.

    3. Apply Concepts Use what you learned in Chapter 7 about how materials cross cell membranes to explain the actions of steroid hormones and nonsteroid hormones.

Apply the Big idea

Homeostasis

  1. What are the advantages of having both a nervous system and an endocrine system?

End ofPage 981

Table of Contents

Miller & Levine Biology
About the Authors
Changing the World of Biology Education
Contents
Diversity of Life: A Visual Guide DOL•1–DOL•64
Labs and Activities
Features
UNIT 1 The Nature of Life
1 The Science of Biology
2 The Chemistry of Life
Unit Project
UNIT 2 Ecology
3 The Biosphere
4 Ecosystems and Communities
5 Populations
6 Humans in the Biosphere
Unit Project
UNIT 3 Cells
7 Cell Structure and Function
8 Photosynthesis
9 Cellular Respiration and Fermentation
10 Cell Growth and Division
Unit Project
UNIT 4 Genetics
11 Introduction to Genetics
12 DNA
13 RNA and Protein Synthesis
14 Human Heredity
15 Genetic Engineering
Unit Project
UNIT 5 Evolution
16 Darwin's Theory of Evolution
17 Evolution of Populations
18 Classification
19 History of Life
Unit Project
UNIT 6 From Microorganisms to Plants
20 Viruses and Prokaryotes
21 Protists and Fungi
22 Introduction to Plants
23 Plant Structure and Function
24 Plant Reproduction and Response
Unit Project
UNIT 7 Animals
25 Introduction to Animals
26 Animal Evolution and Diversity
27 Animal Systems I
28 Animal Systems II
29 Animal Behavior
Unit Project
UNIT 8 The Human Body
30 Digestive and Excretory Systems
31 Nervous System
32 Skeletal, Muscular, and Integumentary Systems
33 Circulatory and Respiratory Systems
34 Endocrine and Reproductive Systems
35 Immune System and Disease
Unit Project
A Visual Guide to The Diversity of Life
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
THE TREE OF LIFE
Bacteria
Protists
Fungi
Plants
Animals
Appendices
Appendix A Science Skills
Appendix B Lab Skills
Appendix C Technology & Design
Appendix D Math Skills
Appendix E Periodic Table
Glossary
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q, R
S
T
U
V
W
X, Y, Z
Index
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Credits
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