Final answer:
Intercellular chemical messengers produced by endocrine cells target distant cells and trigger a physiological response; the correct answer is a) Endocrine; target; physiological response.
Step-by-step explanation:
Intercellular chemical messengers are produced in endocrine cells, which target cells, triggering a physiological response. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is: a) Endocrine; target; physiological response.
The endocrine system plays a key role in maintaining homeostasis in the body by using hormones as signaling molecules. These hormones are released by endocrine glands and travel through the bloodstream to reach distant target cells, where they bind to receptors and cause a physiological change or response. This process is generally slower than neural signaling but produces longer-lasting effects, such as the regulation of metabolism, growth, and reproduction.