Video Transcript
Gigantism, a condition in children
in which their bodies go through a period of excessive, uncontrolled growth, is
associated with an excessive release of a pituitary hormone. Which hormone is that? (A) FSH, (B) growth hormone, (C)
thyrotropin, or (D) oxytocin.
This question asks us about a
disorder resulting in gigantism and involving the pituitary gland. This small gland is located under
the brain.
Many hormones released by the
pituitary gland are implicated in some sort of cell proliferation, or some aspects
of our growth and development. For example, FSH, or
follicle-stimulating hormone, is released by the anterior lobe of the pituitary
gland. FSH plays an important role in
puberty, for example in the development of secondary sex characteristics. However, an excessive release of
FSH doesn’t cause gigantism.
Thyrotropin is another hormone
released by the anterior pituitary to stimulate the thyroid gland. In turn, the thyroid releases
hormones that regulate the metabolism. This has a major influence on the
development and growth of many tissues in our body, like the brain. But excessive release of these
hormones does not cause gigantism.
Oxytocin is released by the
posterior pituitary gland. Oxytocin has various effects on our
body and on our brain, but excessive release of oxytocin doesn’t cause
gigantism.
In fact, growth hormone, or GH for
short, is the hormone that has the most important effect on the proliferation and
regeneration of our cells when we grow. If GH is released in excess during
the growth of a child, it overstimulates the multiplication of cells, especially in
the bones and muscles, causing gigantism.
Therefore, the correct answer to
our question is (B) growth hormone.
