How do hormones assist in regulating metabolism?

• A. They influence emotional responses
• B. They control the rate of energy production and utilization
• C. They help in digestion
• D. They create nerve impulses

Answer: (B)

Hormones play a crucial role in regulating metabolism by controlling the rate at which energy is produced and utilized within the body. They function as chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream to various tissues and organs, where they trigger specific responses that influence metabolic processes. For instance, hormones such as insulin and glucagon regulate glucose levels, while thyroid hormones affect the overall metabolic rate by increasing or decreasing energy expenditure in cells.

The interaction of hormones with target cells stimulates various metabolic pathways that manage how the body breaks down nutrients from food and converts them into energy. This regulation ensures that energy production matches the body’s needs based on activity levels and physiological demands, contributing to overall homeostasis.

While hormones do have roles in emotional responses, digestion, and nerve impulse creation, these functions are not directly tied to the primary regulatory mechanism they have on metabolism.