PTH as Hypercalcemic Hormone — NEET Biology
✅ Asked in NEET 2022Parathyroid hormone (PTH) increases the Ca2+ levels in the blood. PTH acts on bones and stimulates the process of bone resorption (dissolution/ demineralisation). PTH also stimulates reabsorption of Ca2+ by the renal tubules and increases Ca2+ absorption from the digested food. It is, thus, clear that PTH is a hypercalcemic hormone, i.e., it increases the blood Ca2+ levels. Along with TCT, it plays a significant role in calcium balance in the body.
PTH increases blood calcium levels by acting on three sites: bones (stimulates resorption/demineralization), kidneys (increases Ca²⁺ reabsorption), and intestines (enhances Ca²⁺ absorption). NTA tests whether students can identify PTH as hypercalcemic (raises Ca²⁺) versus calcitonin as hypocalcemic (lowers Ca²⁺). Common mistake: confusing PTH's effect—students incorrectly think PTH decreases Ca²⁺ or that it causes bone deposition instead of dissolution. Key point: Remember the three mechanisms of PTH action and that bone resorption/demineralization releases calcium INTO the blood, making it hypercalcemic. This distinction between PTH and calcitonin is fundamental to hormonal regulation of calcium homeostasis.
This paragraph was tested 2 times in NEET.
Which of the following is a function of parathyroid hormone? (NEET 2022)
Hormones that regulate blood calcium levels are: (NEET 2020)
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