Question

The ability of a specific tissue or organ to respond to the presence of a hormone is dependent on ________.

a.the location of the tissue or organ with respect to the circulatory path
b.the membrane potential of target cells
c.the presence of appropriate receptors on target cells
d.nothing—all hormones of the human body are able to stimulate any and all cell types because hormones are powerful and nonspecific

Answer 1

The correct option is c. the presence of appropriate receptors on target cells.

Hormones are secreted by the endocrine glands and act as chemical messengers enabling communication between the cells. The hormones have several diverse functions like to maintain homeostasis, regulation in different metabolic processes etc. The hormones are secreted into the extracellular environment from where they diffuse to the bloodstream and are transported by the circulatory system to the target cells. The target cells contain the receptors specific for a particular hormone and is activated either by a lipid soluble or by a water soluble hormone which binds to the cell surface receptors.