Final answer:
Growth hormone indirectly mediates growth and protein synthesis in the body through the production of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). IGFs enhance cellular proliferation and stimulate cells to uptake amino acids for protein synthesis, with skeletal muscle and cartilage cells being particularly responsive to IGFs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hormonal regulation is required for the growth and replication of most cells in the body. Growth hormone (GH), produced by the anterior portion of the pituitary gland, accelerates the rate of protein synthesis, particularly in skeletal muscle and bones. GH indirectly mediates growth and protein synthesis by triggering the liver and other tissues to produce a group of proteins called insulin-like growth factors (IGFs).
These proteins enhance cellular proliferation and inhibit apoptosis, or programmed cell death. IGFs stimulate cells to increase their uptake of amino acids from the blood for protein synthesis. Skeletal muscle and cartilage cells are particularly sensitive to stimulation from IGFs.