EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -In order to detect a signal (that is, to be a target cell), a neighbor cell must have the right receptor for that signal. When a signaling molecule binds to its receptor, it alters the shape or activity of the receptor, triggering a change inside of the cell.

Detailed explanation-2: -A target cell responds to a hormone because it bears receptors for the hormone. In other words, a particular cell is a target cell for a hormone if it contains functional receptors for that hormone, and cells which do not have such a receptor cannot be influenced directly by that hormone.

Detailed explanation-3: -Signaling molecules interact with a target cell as a ligand to cell surface receptors, and/or by entering into the cell through its membrane or endocytosis for intracrine signaling. This generally results in the activation of second messengers, leading to various physiological effects.

Detailed explanation-4: -In many cases, these receptors are expressed on the target cell surface, but some receptors are intracellular proteins located in the cytosol or the nucleus. These intracellular receptors respond to small hydrophobic signaling molecules that are able to diffuse across the plasma membrane.

Detailed explanation-5: -What determines how a cell responds to such a hormone? A cell is able to respond to a hormone only if it has a receptor protein on the cell surface or inside the cell that can bind to the hormone.