🧬 COMPLETE HORMONE CHEAT SHEET 🧬
NCERT Class 11th & 12th Biology
All Animal & Plant Hormones with Sources & Functions
⭐ WITH NEET PYQs (2014-2025) ⭐
🎯 NEET HOT TOPICS (Last 5 Years Analysis)
- Most Asked: Insulin-Glucagon mechanism, Thyroid disorders, Growth hormone disorders
- Frequently Asked: FSH-LH functions, ADH-Diabetes insipidus, PTH-Calcitonin antagonism
- Hormone Diseases: Graves' disease, Diabetes mellitus, Acromegaly, Addison's disease, Goiter
- Plant Hormones: Auxin functions, Gibberellin in seed germination, ABA stress response
- Exam Pattern: Matching questions, Assertion-Reason, Function identification, Source identification
🔬 ANIMAL HORMONES
HYPOTHALAMUS NEET 2025, 2024, 2017
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Releasing Hormones (GnRH, GHRH, TRH, CRH, PRH) 2017, 2016 | Stimulate anterior pituitary to release specific hormones NEET 2017: GnRH acts on anterior pituitary |
| Inhibiting Hormones (Somatostatin, PIH) | Inhibit anterior pituitary hormone secretion |
| Oxytocin (stored in posterior pituitary) 2024 | Contraction of uterus during childbirth; milk ejection reflex NEET 2024: Smooth muscle contraction function |
| Vasopressin/ADH (stored in posterior pituitary) 2025, 2024, 2023, 2020, 2015 | Water reabsorption in kidneys; maintains blood pressure NEET 2025: Synthesized in hypothalamus, stored in posterior pituitary NEET 2024: Prevents diuresis NEET 2020: Diabetes insipidus due to deficiency |
PITUITARY GLAND NEET HOT TOPIC
Anterior Pituitary (Adenohypophysis) Multiple Years
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Growth Hormone (GH/Somatotropin) 2024, 2019 | Stimulates growth of bones, muscles, and tissues; protein synthesis NEET 2024: Acromegaly due to excess GH NEET 2019: Acromegaly from hypersecretion after puberty |
| Prolactin (PRL) | Stimulates milk production in mammary glands |
| Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) 2024 | Stimulates thyroid gland to secrete T3 and T4 NEET 2024: Stimulates synthesis of T3 and T4 |
| Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) | Stimulates adrenal cortex to secrete glucocorticoids |
| Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) 2024, 2023, 2022 | Males: Spermatogenesis; Females: Ovarian follicle development NEET 2024: Acts on Sertoli cells (NOT Leydig cells) NEET 2023: FSH and androgens regulate spermatogenesis NEET 2022: FSH uses cAMP as second messenger |
| Luteinizing Hormone (LH) 2024 | Males: Testosterone secretion; Females: Ovulation and corpus luteum formation NEET 2024: LH acts on Leydig cells to produce testosterone |
Posterior Pituitary (Neurohypophysis) 2016
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Oxytocin | Uterine contractions; milk ejection NEET 2016: Not a true endocrine gland - only stores hormones |
| Vasopressin (ADH) | Water retention by kidneys; blood pressure regulation |
PINEAL GLAND NEET 2024, 2014
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Melatonin 2024, 2014 | Regulates sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm); influences metabolism and reproductive functions NEET 2024: Regulates biological clock NEET 2014: Regulates normal rhythm of sleep-wake cycle |
THYROID GLAND NEET HOT TOPIC
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Thyroxine (T4) 2024, 2023, 2019, 2016 | Regulates basal metabolic rate (BMR); growth and development NEET 2024: Regulates BMR NEET 2023: Controls BMR, water balance, RBC formation NEET 2019: Goitre from deficiency NEET 2016: Graves' disease from hypersecretion |
| Triiodothyronine (T3) | More active form of thyroid hormone; regulates metabolism |
| Calcitonin/TCT 2023 | Lowers blood calcium levels by depositing calcium in bones NEET 2023: Regulates blood calcium level (NOT carbohydrate metabolism) |
PARATHYROID GLANDS NEET 2024, 2023, 2022
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) 2024, 2023, 2022 | Increases blood calcium levels; decreases phosphate levels; stimulates bone resorption NEET 2024: Increases blood Ca²⁺ level NEET 2023: Stimulates bone resorption (NOT carbohydrate metabolism) NEET 2022: Increases Ca²⁺ reabsorption, NOT decreases it |
THYMUS
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Thymosin | Differentiates T-lymphocytes; plays role in immune system development |
ADRENAL GLANDS NEET 2025, 2024, 2023, 2020
Adrenal Cortex 2024, 2020, 2019, 2015
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Glucocorticoids (Cortisol) 2024, 2020, 2015 | Increases blood glucose; anti-inflammatory; stress response; protein and fat metabolism NEET 2024: Steroid hormone (Cushing's syndrome from excess) NEET 2020: Stimulates gluconeogenesis NEET 2015: Involved in sugar metabolism |
| Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone) 2024, 2019 | Regulates sodium and potassium balance; water retention; maintains blood pressure NEET 2024: Produced by adrenal cortex NEET 2019, 2020: Addison's disease from deficiency |
| Androgens | Development of secondary sexual characteristics (minor role) |
Adrenal Medulla 2025, 2024, 2015
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Adrenaline/Epinephrine 2025, 2024, 2018, 2015 | Fight or flight response; increases heart rate, BP, blood glucose; dilates pupils NEET 2025: Hyperglycemic, causes piloerection, increases heart contraction NEET 2024: Emergency hormone, fight or flight NEET 2018: Amino acid derived hormone NEET 2015: Both endocrine and neural roles |
| Noradrenaline/Norepinephrine 2025, 2024 | Similar to adrenaline; vasoconstriction; increases BP NEET 2025: Catecholamine from adrenal medulla NEET 2024: Fight or flight response |
PANCREAS (Islets of Langerhans) NEET SUPER HOT
| Hormone | Source Cell | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Insulin 2025, 2024, 2020, 2019, 2016, 2015 | Beta (β) cells | Decreases blood glucose; promotes glucose uptake by cells; glycogenesis NEET 2025: Cannot be given orally - digested in GI tract NEET 2024: NOT a steroid hormone (peptide) NEET 2020: Acts on hepatocytes & adipocytes NEET 2019: Diabetes mellitus from deficiency |
| Glucagon 2024, 2020, 2015 | Alpha (α) cells | Increases blood glucose; glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis NEET 2024: NOT a steroid (peptide), causes hyperglycemia NEET 2020: Associated with hyperglycemia |
| Somatostatin | Delta (δ) cells | Inhibits insulin and glucagon secretion |
GONADS NEET 2025, 2024
Testes (Males) 2024
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Testosterone 2024 | Development of male secondary sexual characteristics; spermatogenesis; muscle growth NEET 2024: Steroid hormone, produced by Leydig cells |
| Inhibin | Inhibits FSH secretion |
Ovaries (Females) 2025, 2024
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Estrogen 2024, 2016 | Development of female secondary sexual characteristics; uterine lining growth; ovarian cycle regulation NEET 2024: Secreted by growing follicles NEET 2016: Controls GnRH pulse frequency |
| Progesterone 2025, 2024, 2016 | Maintains pregnancy; prepares endometrium for implantation; mammary gland development NEET 2025: Produced by corpus luteum NEET 2024: Steroid hormone (NOT peptide) NEET 2016: Controls GnRH pulse frequency |
| Inhibin | Inhibits FSH secretion |
| Relaxin 2025, 2017 | Relaxes pelvic ligaments during childbirth NEET 2025: Produced by ovary NEET 2017: Corpus luteum is temporary endocrine gland |
PLACENTA (During Pregnancy)
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) | Maintains corpus luteum; pregnancy detection marker |
| Human Placental Lactogen (hPL) | Prepares mammary glands for lactation |
| Estrogen & Progesterone | Maintain pregnancy |
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT NEET 2024, 2023
| Hormone | Source | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Gastrin | Stomach | Stimulates gastric acid secretion |
| Secretin 2024 | Small intestine | Stimulates pancreatic bicarbonate secretion NEET 2024: Produced by GI tract |
| Cholecystokinin (CCK) 2023 | Small intestine | Stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion; gallbladder contraction NEET 2023: Produced by GI tract |
| Gastric Inhibitory Peptide (GIP) 2023 | Small intestine | Inhibits gastric acid secretion NEET 2023: Produced by gastric gland |
KIDNEYS NEET 2024, 2023, 2021
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Erythropoietin 2024, 2021 | Stimulates RBC production in bone marrow NEET 2024: Produced by juxtaglomerular cells NEET 2021: Produced by juxtaglomerular cells of kidney |
| Renin | Part of RAAS; regulates blood pressure |
HEART NEET 2024, 2023
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Atrial Natriuretic Factor (ANF) 2024, 2023, 2014 | Decreases blood pressure; promotes sodium and water excretion NEET 2024: NOT secreted by testes - secreted by heart atria NEET 2023: Produced by heart NEET 2014: Secreted by atrial wall |
LIVER
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) | Mediates effects of GH; stimulates growth |
🌱 PLANT HORMONES (PHYTOHORMONES)
🌿 AUXINS NEET IMPORTANT
Source: Shoot apical meristem, young leaves, developing seeds
Main Type: Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA)
Functions:
- Apical dominance ⭐ NEET favorite
- Cell elongation and growth
- Root initiation
- Prevents abscission (leaf/fruit fall)
- Phototropism and gravitropism ⭐
- Parthenocarpy (seedless fruit development)
- Used in tissue culture
🌿 GIBBERELLINS (GAs) NEET IMPORTANT
Source: Young tissues, seeds, roots, shoots
Main Type: Gibberellic Acid (GA₃)
Functions:
- Stem elongation (bolting) ⭐
- Breaks seed and bud dormancy ⭐ NEET favorite
- Promotes flowering
- Fruit growth and development
- Delays senescence
- α-amylase synthesis in germinating seeds ⭐ Very important
- Parthenocarpy
🌿 CYTOKININS NEET IMPORTANT
Source: Root apical meristem, developing seeds
Main Types: Zeatin, Kinetin
Functions:
- Cell division (cytokinesis) ⭐
- Delays leaf senescence ⭐
- Breaks apical dominance ⭐ Antagonist to auxins
- Promotes lateral bud growth
- Promotes nutrient mobilization
- Chloroplast development
- Used in tissue culture
🌿 ETHYLENE NEET IMPORTANT
Source: Ripening fruits, senescing tissues, nodes
Special Note: Only gaseous hormone ⚠️ ⭐ NEET loves this fact
Functions:
- Fruit ripening ⭐ Most important function
- Promotes senescence and abscission ⭐
- Breaks seed/bud dormancy
- Root and shoot growth inhibition
- Promotes flowering (in pineapple)
- Promotes femaleness in flowers
- Enhances respiration rate (climacteric rise)
🌿 ABSCISIC ACID (ABA) - "Stress Hormone" NEET SUPER HOT
Source: Mature leaves, stems, roots, seeds
Functions:
- Stomatal closure (water stress response) ⭐ Most asked
- Seed dormancy maintenance ⭐
- Inhibits growth and metabolism
- Promotes abscission
- Stress tolerance (drought, cold, salinity) ⭐ Why it's called stress hormone
- Antagonist to gibberellins ⭐
📋 QUICK MEMORY AIDS
🧠 Animal Hormone Mnemonics:
- Anterior Pituitary (FLATPG): FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, Prolactin, GH Asked in NEET
- Posterior Pituitary (OV): Oxytocin, Vasopressin
- Adrenal Cortex (GMA): Glucocorticoids, Mineralocorticoids, Androgens
- Adrenal Medulla (AA): Adrenaline, Noradrenaline 2025, 2024
- Pancreas (IGS): Insulin, Glucagon, Somatostatin Every Year
🧠 Plant Growth Regulators:
- Growth Promoters (GAC): Gibberellins, Auxins, Cytokinins
- Growth Inhibitors (AE): Abscisic Acid, Ethylene
⚖️ Key Antagonistic Pairs: Very Important
- Insulin ↔ Glucagon (Blood glucose) Multiple times
- Calcitonin ↔ PTH (Blood calcium) 2023, 2024
- Auxins ↔ Cytokinins (Apical dominance)
- Gibberellins ↔ ABA (Seed dormancy)
🎯 NEET EXAM FOCUS POINTS (2014-2025 Analysis)
⭐⭐⭐ SUPER HIGH PRIORITY (Asked 3+ times):
- Insulin & Glucagon: Hypoglycemic vs Hyperglycemic, peptide hormone, oral administration issue
- ADH/Vasopressin: Diabetes insipidus, antidiuretic function, synthesized in hypothalamus
- Thyroid hormones: BMR regulation, Graves' disease, Goiter, T3 & T4
- Epinephrine: Emergency hormone, fight-or-flight, amino acid derivative
- FSH & LH: Target cells (Sertoli vs Leydig), spermatogenesis
⭐⭐ HIGH PRIORITY (Asked 2-3 times):
- PTH & Calcitonin: Calcium regulation, bone resorption
- Growth Hormone: Acromegaly, Gigantism, Dwarfism
- Cortisol & Aldosterone: Gluconeogenesis, Cushing's, Addison's disease
- Progesterone & Estrogen: Corpus luteum, steroid hormones
- Melatonin: Biological clock, circadian rhythm
⭐ IMPORTANT (Asked 1-2 times):
- GI Hormones: Secretin, CCK, GIP, Gastrin
- Erythropoietin: RBC formation, kidney source
- ANF: Heart source, blood pressure regulation
- GnRH: Hypothalamic hormone, controls LH & FSH
- Oxytocin: Smooth muscle contraction
🌱 PLANT HORMONES - EXAM FOCUS:
- Auxins: Apical dominance, phototropism
- Gibberellins: Seed germination, α-amylase synthesis, break dormancy
- Cytokinins: Cell division, delay senescence
- Ethylene: ONLY GASEOUS HORMONE, fruit ripening
- ABA: STRESS HORMONE, stomatal closure, seed dormancy
📌 COMMON NEET QUESTION TYPES:
- Matching Type: Hormone with source/function
- Assertion-Reason: Testing conceptual understanding
- Disease Association: Hormone disorder identification
- Chemical Nature: Steroid vs Peptide vs Amino acid
- "Which is NOT" Questions: Testing exceptions
🚨 CRITICAL FACTS TO REMEMBER:
- Insulin CANNOT be given orally - it's digested (NEET 2025)
- FSH acts on Sertoli cells, NOT Leydig cells (NEET 2024)
- ADH synthesized in hypothalamus, stored in posterior pituitary (NEET 2025)
- Posterior pituitary is NOT a true endocrine gland (NEET 2016)
- PTH does NOT regulate carbohydrate metabolism (NEET 2023)
- ANF secreted by HEART, not testes (NEET 2024)
- Glucocorticoids from adrenal CORTEX, not medulla (NEET 2023)
- Epinephrine causes pupillary DILATION, not constriction (NEET 2025)
- Ethylene is the ONLY gaseous plant hormone
📊 NEET TREND ANALYSIS (2014-2025)
- Total Hormone Questions: 40+ questions in last 11 years
- Average per year: 3-4 questions from hormones chapter
- Highest weightage: Insulin-Glucagon (6 times), ADH (5 times), Thyroid (4 times)
- Question difficulty: Moderate to Easy (factual recall + application)
- New trend (2024-2025): More matching questions and source-function correlation
- Plant hormones: Usually 1 question per year
Coverage:
Class 11: Chapter 22 - Chemical Coordination and Integration
Class 12: Chapter 15 - Plant Growth and Development
📊 Total Coverage: 50+ Animal Hormones | 5 Major Plant Hormones
🎯 NEET PYQs Analyzed: 2014-2025 (40+ Questions)
© NCERT Biology Comprehensive Cheat Sheet with NEET Persue Analysis
⭐ High Priority Items marked with NEET badges and years
🧬 COMPLETE HORMONE CHEAT SHEET 🧬
NCERT Class 11th & 12th Biology
All Animal & Plant Hormones with Sources & Functions
⭐ WITH NEET PYQs (2014-2025) ⭐
🎯 NEET HOT TOPICS (Last 5 Years Analysis)
- Most Asked: Insulin-Glucagon mechanism, Thyroid disorders, Growth hormone disorders
- Frequently Asked: FSH-LH functions, ADH-Diabetes insipidus, PTH-Calcitonin antagonism
- Hormone Diseases: Graves' disease, Diabetes mellitus, Acromegaly, Addison's disease, Goiter
- Plant Hormones: Auxin functions, Gibberellin in seed germination, ABA stress response
- Exam Pattern: Matching questions, Assertion-Reason, Function identification, Source identification
🔬 ANIMAL HORMONES
HYPOTHALAMUS NEET 2025, 2024, 2017
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Releasing Hormones (GnRH, GHRH, TRH, CRH, PRH) 2017, 2016 | Stimulate anterior pituitary to release specific hormones NEET 2017: GnRH acts on anterior pituitary |
| Inhibiting Hormones (Somatostatin, PIH) | Inhibit anterior pituitary hormone secretion |
| Oxytocin (stored in posterior pituitary) 2024 | Contraction of uterus during childbirth; milk ejection reflex NEET 2024: Smooth muscle contraction function |
| Vasopressin/ADH (stored in posterior pituitary) 2025, 2024, 2023, 2020, 2015 | Water reabsorption in kidneys; maintains blood pressure NEET 2025: Synthesized in hypothalamus, stored in posterior pituitary NEET 2024: Prevents diuresis NEET 2020: Diabetes insipidus due to deficiency |
PITUITARY GLAND NEET HOT TOPIC
Anterior Pituitary (Adenohypophysis) Multiple Years
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Growth Hormone (GH/Somatotropin) 2024, 2019 | Stimulates growth of bones, muscles, and tissues; protein synthesis NEET 2024: Acromegaly due to excess GH NEET 2019: Acromegaly from hypersecretion after puberty |
| Prolactin (PRL) | Stimulates milk production in mammary glands |
| Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) 2024 | Stimulates thyroid gland to secrete T3 and T4 NEET 2024: Stimulates synthesis of T3 and T4 |
| Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH) | Stimulates adrenal cortex to secrete glucocorticoids |
| Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) 2024, 2023, 2022 | Males: Spermatogenesis; Females: Ovarian follicle development NEET 2024: Acts on Sertoli cells (NOT Leydig cells) NEET 2023: FSH and androgens regulate spermatogenesis NEET 2022: FSH uses cAMP as second messenger |
| Luteinizing Hormone (LH) 2024 | Males: Testosterone secretion; Females: Ovulation and corpus luteum formation NEET 2024: LH acts on Leydig cells to produce testosterone |
Posterior Pituitary (Neurohypophysis) 2016
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Oxytocin | Uterine contractions; milk ejection NEET 2016: Not a true endocrine gland - only stores hormones |
| Vasopressin (ADH) | Water retention by kidneys; blood pressure regulation |
PINEAL GLAND NEET 2024, 2014
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Melatonin 2024, 2014 | Regulates sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm); influences metabolism and reproductive functions NEET 2024: Regulates biological clock NEET 2014: Regulates normal rhythm of sleep-wake cycle |
THYROID GLAND NEET HOT TOPIC
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Thyroxine (T4) 2024, 2023, 2019, 2016 | Regulates basal metabolic rate (BMR); growth and development NEET 2024: Regulates BMR NEET 2023: Controls BMR, water balance, RBC formation NEET 2019: Goitre from deficiency NEET 2016: Graves' disease from hypersecretion |
| Triiodothyronine (T3) | More active form of thyroid hormone; regulates metabolism |
| Calcitonin/TCT 2023 | Lowers blood calcium levels by depositing calcium in bones NEET 2023: Regulates blood calcium level (NOT carbohydrate metabolism) |
PARATHYROID GLANDS NEET 2024, 2023, 2022
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) 2024, 2023, 2022 | Increases blood calcium levels; decreases phosphate levels; stimulates bone resorption NEET 2024: Increases blood Ca²⁺ level NEET 2023: Stimulates bone resorption (NOT carbohydrate metabolism) NEET 2022: Increases Ca²⁺ reabsorption, NOT decreases it |
THYMUS
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Thymosin | Differentiates T-lymphocytes; plays role in immune system development |
ADRENAL GLANDS NEET 2025, 2024, 2023, 2020
Adrenal Cortex 2024, 2020, 2019, 2015
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Glucocorticoids (Cortisol) 2024, 2020, 2015 | Increases blood glucose; anti-inflammatory; stress response; protein and fat metabolism NEET 2024: Steroid hormone (Cushing's syndrome from excess) NEET 2020: Stimulates gluconeogenesis NEET 2015: Involved in sugar metabolism |
| Mineralocorticoids (Aldosterone) 2024, 2019 | Regulates sodium and potassium balance; water retention; maintains blood pressure NEET 2024: Produced by adrenal cortex NEET 2019, 2020: Addison's disease from deficiency |
| Androgens | Development of secondary sexual characteristics (minor role) |
Adrenal Medulla 2025, 2024, 2015
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Adrenaline/Epinephrine 2025, 2024, 2018, 2015 | Fight or flight response; increases heart rate, BP, blood glucose; dilates pupils NEET 2025: Hyperglycemic, causes piloerection, increases heart contraction NEET 2024: Emergency hormone, fight or flight NEET 2018: Amino acid derived hormone NEET 2015: Both endocrine and neural roles |
| Noradrenaline/Norepinephrine 2025, 2024 | Similar to adrenaline; vasoconstriction; increases BP NEET 2025: Catecholamine from adrenal medulla NEET 2024: Fight or flight response |
PANCREAS (Islets of Langerhans) NEET SUPER HOT
| Hormone | Source Cell | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Insulin 2025, 2024, 2020, 2019, 2016, 2015 | Beta (β) cells | Decreases blood glucose; promotes glucose uptake by cells; glycogenesis NEET 2025: Cannot be given orally - digested in GI tract NEET 2024: NOT a steroid hormone (peptide) NEET 2020: Acts on hepatocytes & adipocytes NEET 2019: Diabetes mellitus from deficiency |
| Glucagon 2024, 2020, 2015 | Alpha (α) cells | Increases blood glucose; glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis NEET 2024: NOT a steroid (peptide), causes hyperglycemia NEET 2020: Associated with hyperglycemia |
| Somatostatin | Delta (δ) cells | Inhibits insulin and glucagon secretion |
GONADS NEET 2025, 2024
Testes (Males) 2024
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Testosterone 2024 | Development of male secondary sexual characteristics; spermatogenesis; muscle growth NEET 2024: Steroid hormone, produced by Leydig cells |
| Inhibin | Inhibits FSH secretion |
Ovaries (Females) 2025, 2024
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Estrogen 2024, 2016 | Development of female secondary sexual characteristics; uterine lining growth; ovarian cycle regulation NEET 2024: Secreted by growing follicles NEET 2016: Controls GnRH pulse frequency |
| Progesterone 2025, 2024, 2016 | Maintains pregnancy; prepares endometrium for implantation; mammary gland development NEET 2025: Produced by corpus luteum NEET 2024: Steroid hormone (NOT peptide) NEET 2016: Controls GnRH pulse frequency |
| Inhibin | Inhibits FSH secretion |
| Relaxin 2025, 2017 | Relaxes pelvic ligaments during childbirth NEET 2025: Produced by ovary NEET 2017: Corpus luteum is temporary endocrine gland |
PLACENTA (During Pregnancy)
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) | Maintains corpus luteum; pregnancy detection marker |
| Human Placental Lactogen (hPL) | Prepares mammary glands for lactation |
| Estrogen & Progesterone | Maintain pregnancy |
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT NEET 2024, 2023
| Hormone | Source | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Gastrin | Stomach | Stimulates gastric acid secretion |
| Secretin 2024 | Small intestine | Stimulates pancreatic bicarbonate secretion NEET 2024: Produced by GI tract |
| Cholecystokinin (CCK) 2023 | Small intestine | Stimulates pancreatic enzyme secretion; gallbladder contraction NEET 2023: Produced by GI tract |
| Gastric Inhibitory Peptide (GIP) 2023 | Small intestine | Inhibits gastric acid secretion NEET 2023: Produced by gastric gland |
KIDNEYS NEET 2024, 2023, 2021
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Erythropoietin 2024, 2021 | Stimulates RBC production in bone marrow NEET 2024: Produced by juxtaglomerular cells NEET 2021: Produced by juxtaglomerular cells of kidney |
| Renin | Part of RAAS; regulates blood pressure |
HEART NEET 2024, 2023
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Atrial Natriuretic Factor (ANF) 2024, 2023, 2014 | Decreases blood pressure; promotes sodium and water excretion NEET 2024: NOT secreted by testes - secreted by heart atria NEET 2023: Produced by heart NEET 2014: Secreted by atrial wall |
LIVER
| Hormone | Function |
|---|---|
| Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) | Mediates effects of GH; stimulates growth |
🌱 PLANT HORMONES (PHYTOHORMONES)
🌿 AUXINS NEET IMPORTANT
Source: Shoot apical meristem, young leaves, developing seeds
Main Type: Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA)
Functions:
- Apical dominance ⭐ NEET favorite
- Cell elongation and growth
- Root initiation
- Prevents abscission (leaf/fruit fall)
- Phototropism and gravitropism ⭐
- Parthenocarpy (seedless fruit development)
- Used in tissue culture
🌿 GIBBERELLINS (GAs) NEET IMPORTANT
Source: Young tissues, seeds, roots, shoots
Main Type: Gibberellic Acid (GA₃)
Functions:
- Stem elongation (bolting) ⭐
- Breaks seed and bud dormancy ⭐ NEET favorite
- Promotes flowering
- Fruit growth and development
- Delays senescence
- α-amylase synthesis in germinating seeds ⭐ Very important
- Parthenocarpy
🌿 CYTOKININS NEET IMPORTANT
Source: Root apical meristem, developing seeds
Main Types: Zeatin, Kinetin
Functions:
- Cell division (cytokinesis) ⭐
- Delays leaf senescence ⭐
- Breaks apical dominance ⭐ Antagonist to auxins
- Promotes lateral bud growth
- Promotes nutrient mobilization
- Chloroplast development
- Used in tissue culture
🌿 ETHYLENE NEET IMPORTANT
Source: Ripening fruits, senescing tissues, nodes
Special Note: Only gaseous hormone ⚠️ ⭐ NEET loves this fact
Functions:
- Fruit ripening ⭐ Most important function
- Promotes senescence and abscission ⭐
- Breaks seed/bud dormancy
- Root and shoot growth inhibition
- Promotes flowering (in pineapple)
- Promotes femaleness in flowers
- Enhances respiration rate (climacteric rise)
🌿 ABSCISIC ACID (ABA) - "Stress Hormone" NEET SUPER HOT
Source: Mature leaves, stems, roots, seeds
Functions:
- Stomatal closure (water stress response) ⭐ Most asked
- Seed dormancy maintenance ⭐
- Inhibits growth and metabolism
- Promotes abscission
- Stress tolerance (drought, cold, salinity) ⭐ Why it's called stress hormone
- Antagonist to gibberellins ⭐
📋 QUICK MEMORY AIDS
🧠 Animal Hormone Mnemonics:
- Anterior Pituitary (FLATPG): FSH, LH, ACTH, TSH, Prolactin, GH Asked in NEET
- Posterior Pituitary (OV): Oxytocin, Vasopressin
- Adrenal Cortex (GMA): Glucocorticoids, Mineralocorticoids, Androgens
- Adrenal Medulla (AA): Adrenaline, Noradrenaline 2025, 2024
- Pancreas (IGS): Insulin, Glucagon, Somatostatin Every Year
🧠 Plant Growth Regulators:
- Growth Promoters (GAC): Gibberellins, Auxins, Cytokinins
- Growth Inhibitors (AE): Abscisic Acid, Ethylene
⚖️ Key Antagonistic Pairs: Very Important
- Insulin ↔ Glucagon (Blood glucose) Multiple times
- Calcitonin ↔ PTH (Blood calcium) 2023, 2024
- Auxins ↔ Cytokinins (Apical dominance)
- Gibberellins ↔ ABA (Seed dormancy)
🎯 NEET EXAM FOCUS POINTS (2014-2025 Analysis)
⭐⭐⭐ SUPER HIGH PRIORITY (Asked 3+ times):
- Insulin & Glucagon: Hypoglycemic vs Hyperglycemic, peptide hormone, oral administration issue
- ADH/Vasopressin: Diabetes insipidus, antidiuretic function, synthesized in hypothalamus
- Thyroid hormones: BMR regulation, Graves' disease, Goiter, T3 & T4
- Epinephrine: Emergency hormone, fight-or-flight, amino acid derivative
- FSH & LH: Target cells (Sertoli vs Leydig), spermatogenesis
⭐⭐ HIGH PRIORITY (Asked 2-3 times):
- PTH & Calcitonin: Calcium regulation, bone resorption
- Growth Hormone: Acromegaly, Gigantism, Dwarfism
- Cortisol & Aldosterone: Gluconeogenesis, Cushing's, Addison's disease
- Progesterone & Estrogen: Corpus luteum, steroid hormones
- Melatonin: Biological clock, circadian rhythm
⭐ IMPORTANT (Asked 1-2 times):
- GI Hormones: Secretin, CCK, GIP, Gastrin
- Erythropoietin: RBC formation, kidney source
- ANF: Heart source, blood pressure regulation
- GnRH: Hypothalamic hormone, controls LH & FSH
- Oxytocin: Smooth muscle contraction
🌱 PLANT HORMONES - EXAM FOCUS:
- Auxins: Apical dominance, phototropism
- Gibberellins: Seed germination, α-amylase synthesis, break dormancy
- Cytokinins: Cell division, delay senescence
- Ethylene: ONLY GASEOUS HORMONE, fruit ripening
- ABA: STRESS HORMONE, stomatal closure, seed dormancy
📌 COMMON NEET QUESTION TYPES:
- Matching Type: Hormone with source/function
- Assertion-Reason: Testing conceptual understanding
- Disease Association: Hormone disorder identification
- Chemical Nature: Steroid vs Peptide vs Amino acid
- "Which is NOT" Questions: Testing exceptions
🚨 CRITICAL FACTS TO REMEMBER:
- Insulin CANNOT be given orally - it's digested (NEET 2025)
- FSH acts on Sertoli cells, NOT Leydig cells (NEET 2024)
- ADH synthesized in hypothalamus, stored in posterior pituitary (NEET 2025)
- Posterior pituitary is NOT a true endocrine gland (NEET 2016)
- PTH does NOT regulate carbohydrate metabolism (NEET 2023)
- ANF secreted by HEART, not testes (NEET 2024)
- Glucocorticoids from adrenal CORTEX, not medulla (NEET 2023)
- Epinephrine causes pupillary DILATION, not constriction (NEET 2025)
- Ethylene is the ONLY gaseous plant hormone
📊 NEET TREND ANALYSIS (2014-2025)
- Total Hormone Questions: 40+ questions in last 11 years
- Average per year: 3-4 questions from hormones chapter
- Highest weightage: Insulin-Glucagon (6 times), ADH (5 times), Thyroid (4 times)
- Question difficulty: Moderate to Easy (factual recall + application)
- New trend (2024-2025): More matching questions and source-function correlation
- Plant hormones: Usually 1 question per year
Coverage:
Class 11: Chapter 22 - Chemical Coordination and Integration
Class 12: Chapter 15 - Plant Growth and Development
📊 Total Coverage: 50+ Animal Hormones | 5 Major Plant Hormones
🎯 NEET PYQs Analyzed: 2014-2025 (40+ Questions)
© NCERT Biology Comprehensive Cheat Sheet with NEET Persue Analysis
⭐ High Priority Items marked with NEET badges and years