Juvenile Hormone
- Pronunciation
- /JOO-vuh-nil hor-mohn/
- Category
- Physiology
- Singular
- Juvenile Hormone
- Plural
- Juvenile Hormones
Definition
A group of lipophilic sesquiterpenes produced by the corpora allata in insects, responsible for regulating insect development and metamorphosis.
Etymology
From Latin 'juvenilis', meaning 'young', and 'hormone', a chemical messenger.
Example
Juvenile hormone plays a crucial role in determining the size and morphology of insects during their development.
Related Terms
- Metamorphosis
- Corpora allata
- Molting
Usage Notes
The term 'juvenile hormone' encompasses several different forms (JH I, JH II, etc.), each with specific roles in insect development.