the relationship between a hormone and target cell are The relationship is that they are COMPLEMENTARY. This means that the hormone has a specific shape which can fit into the shape of the receptor to cause a change in it. Hormones are special 'messenger' chemicals that are produced by cells and released to the blood stream to reach their target cells. In order for a cell to be a target cell, it must have a specific receptor for that hormone. How it reacts to the hormone is determined by the receptor and the effects its triggering has with each cell. i hope this helps :)