JUVENILE HORMONES Meaning and
Definition
-
Juvenile hormones refer to a group of chemical compounds that play a crucial role in the development and regulation of insect growth and development, particularly during metamorphosis. These hormones are primarily responsible for maintaining the juvenile or larval stage of an insect's life cycle before it undergoes metamorphosis into its adult form.
Juvenile hormones are produced and released by the corpora allata, a pair of endocrine glands located in an insect's head or thorax. They function by promoting the growth and differentiation of various tissues and organs during the larval stage, preventing the insect from entering into premature metamorphosis. Additionally, these hormones regulate the timing and coordination of molting, the process by which insects shed their exoskeletons to accommodate their growing bodies.
Juvenile hormones also play a significant role in determining the overall body size and shape of an insect, as well as influencing reproductive development and behavior. In certain insect species, the levels of juvenile hormones decrease as the insect reaches a certain developmental stage, triggering the production of hormones responsible for metamorphosis.
The discovery and understanding of juvenile hormones have greatly contributed to insect pest management and control strategies. Synthetic versions of these hormones are now utilized to manipulate insect development, disrupt reproduction, and prevent the damaging effects caused by insect pests in agriculture and public health.
Common Misspellings for JUVENILE HORMONES
- huvenile hormones
- nuvenile hormones
- muvenile hormones
- kuvenile hormones
- iuvenile hormones
- uuvenile hormones
- jyvenile hormones
- jhvenile hormones
- jjvenile hormones
- jivenile hormones
- j8venile hormones
- j7venile hormones
- jucenile hormones
- jubenile hormones
- jugenile hormones
- jufenile hormones
- juvwnile hormones
- juvsnile hormones
- juvdnile hormones
- juvrnile hormones
Etymology of JUVENILE HORMONES
The term "juvenile hormones" originates from the Latin word "juvenis" which means "youth" or "young". It refers to a group of insect hormones that play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of immature stages (juveniles) of insects. The discovery of these hormones in the early 20th century led to the adoption of the term "juvenile hormones" to describe their function.
