Growth hormone is secreted by
A. Acidophilic alpha – cells
B. Acidophilic beta – cells
C. Basophilic alpha – cells
D. Basophilic beta – cells

Hint: Hormones are the chemical messengers, that are directly secreted in the blood by the endocrine glands (ductless glands). Blood carries these hormones to the particular organ or tissue of the body to exert their functions.

Complete Answer:
Growth hormones: Growth hormones are also called somatotropins or human growth hormones.
- Growth hormone is a peptide hormone which stimulates the growth, cell reproduction and cell regeneration in humans and other animals.
- Growth hormone is composed of 191 amino acids.
- Growth hormone is a single chain polypeptide hormone.
- The structure of the growth hormone includes four helices which are necessary for the functional interaction of growth hormone with that of the growth hormone receptors.
- Growth hormone is evolutionarily homologous to prolactin and chorionic somatomammotropin.
- Growth hormone is secreted by the acidophilic alpha cells of the pituitary gland.
- Secretions of the growth hormones in the pituitary gland is regulated by neurosecretory nuclei of the hypothalamus.
Therefore, it has been clear from the above discussion that growth hormone is secreted by acidophilic alpha – cells.

Hence, option A is the correct answer for the given question.

Note: Growth hormones can be made through the recombinant DNA technology. And it is used as a prescription drug in order to treat children’s growth disorders and adult growth hormone deficiency. Growth hormones have a short biological half life of about 10 to 20 minutes only.