juvenile hormone

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. any of a class of insect and plant hormones acting to inhibit the molting of a juvenile insect into its adult form.

juvenile hormone

noun

1. a hormone, secreted by insects from a pair of glands behind the brain, that promotes the growth of larval characteristics and inhibits metamorphosis

Word History and Origins

Origin of juvenile hormone¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Give a 10-day old ant more juvenile hormone, and Kr-h1 will shut down genes related to queenliness and promote worker genes.

From Popular-Science

Kr-h1’s job is to respond to the commands of two hormones—a juvenile hormone found more in workers and an ecdysone hormone found in greater abundance in queens.

From Popular-Science