Final answer:
Growth hormone stimulates the production of insulin-like growth factors, particularly IGF-1, which lead to the growth of bone and other tissues by promoting the uptake of amino acids and protein synthesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Growth Hormone (GH) and Its Role in Growth, The growth hormone (GH), produced by the anterior pituitary gland, is fundamental for growth and protein synthesis. GH stimulates the production of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), especially IGF-1, which are crucial for bone and tissue growth.
These growth factors are produced primarily by the liver and stimulate the uptake of amino acids necessary for the synthesis of new proteins, which fundamentally contributes to the growth of skeletal muscle cells, cartilage cells, and other target cells.
Aside from influencing protein synthesis, GH also has a direct effect on the metabolism, such as promoting lipolysis and having a glucose-sparing effect. Hormonal regulation by GH ensures the growth and replication of most cells in the body, facilitating the overall growth and higher metabolic rate required during developmental stages.