Final answer:
Phosphodiesterases are the class of enzymes that reverse the effects of hormones by degrading cAMP and cGMP into AMP and GMP, terminating the signal and maintaining cellular balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The class of enzymes that reverse the biochemical and physiological effects of hormonal induced increases in the intracellular levels of cyclic-AMP (cAMP) and cyclic-GMP are known as phosphodiesterases. These enzymes break down cAMP into AMP, thus deactivating the signal transduction pathways initiated by hormones. This process is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis and ensuring that the effects of hormones do not lead to overproduction of cellular products.
In addition to cAMP, some signaling cascades utilize cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) which is also degraded by phosphodiesterases into GMP, thus serving a similar regulatory function in those pathways. Phosphodiesterases control hormone activity and play a key role in the termination of cyclic nucleotide signaling.