Q.Rearrange the following hormones in Column I so as to match with their chemical nature in Column II. Column I: a. Oxytocin; b. Epinephrine; c. Progesterone; d. Growth hormone. Column II: i. Aminoacid derivative; ii. Steroid; iii. Protein; iv. Peptide

One of the most useful skills in this topic is being able to match a hormone to the gland that makes it — a kind of 'who sends which letter' exercise. At first the list of glands and hormones can feel like a jumble, but there is a logic to it once you group the sources with their products.

The body's organised endocrine glands each have their own characteristic outputs:

• The pituitary is the master gland: its anterior part (pars distalis) sends out six hormones — growth hormone, prolactin, TSH, ACTH, LH and FSH; its pars intermedia makes melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH); and its posterior part stores and releases oxytocin and vasopressin, which are actually made in the hypothalamus.
• The pineal gland makes melatonin, the hormone of daily rhythm.
• The thyroid makes thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), plus thyrocalcitonin (TCT).
• The parathyroid glands make parathyroid hormone (PTH).
• The thymus makes thymosins.
• The adrenal gland makes two families from two regions: the cortex makes corticoids (such as cortisol and aldosterone), and the medulla makes adrenaline and noradrenaline.
• The pancreas (its Islets of Langerhans) makes insulin and glucagon.
• The gonads add their own: the testis makes androgens such as testosterone, and the ovary makes estrogen and progesterone.