Final answer:
Growth hormone (GH) promotes protein synthesis and tissue building in the body. It stimulates the utilization of fatty acids and increases blood glucose levels. GH also activates insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), which support the formation of new proteins in muscle and bone cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Growth hormone (GH), also known as somatotropin, is a hormone produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. Its main role is to promote protein synthesis and tissue building in the body. GH has direct and indirect mechanisms of action. It stimulates triglyceride breakdown and release into the blood, which results in a switch from utilizing glucose to utilizing fatty acids for energy. GH also stimulates glycogen breakdown in the liver, increasing blood glucose levels. The indirect mechanism of GH involves the activation of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) that stimulate the uptake of amino acids and the formation of new proteins in muscle and bone cells.