Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the possibility of undiscovered hormones in the human body, particularly in the context of hormonal changes related to weight loss after surgery. Participants explore the extent of current knowledge regarding hormones, the mechanisms of their discovery, and the complexity of biological systems.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- Some participants question whether it is believed that all hormones in the human body are known, suggesting that there may be many undiscovered hormones.
- Others propose that while most important hormones from major endocrine glands are known, there could be numerous intercellular hormones secreted by non-endocrine cells.
- It is noted that new hormones are continually being discovered, often following the identification of effects without known mechanisms.
- One participant highlights the complexity of the human genome, noting the disparity between the number of genes and proteins, which complicates the mapping of hormones and related biological molecules.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the extent of current knowledge regarding hormones, with some suggesting that many remain undiscovered while others believe that most significant hormones are already identified. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the total number of hormones and the mechanisms behind their discovery.
Contextual Notes
The discussion reflects limitations in current understanding of hormonal biology, including the challenges of mapping the human transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome, which may contribute to the uncertainty about undiscovered hormones.