MICROANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Most hormones circulate in blood, coming into contact with essentially all cells. However, a given hormone usually affects only a limited number of cells, which are called target cells. A target cell responds to a hormone because it bears receptors for the hormone.

Detailed explanation-2: -Answer and Explanation: The cells that respond to the effects of a hormone are called (a) target cells. These cells contain receptors located on the plasma membrane that are specific to the hormone being released.

Detailed explanation-3: -All classes of hormones elicit the majority of their physiological effects via specific receptors which are located in three separate compartments of target cells: cell membranes (peptide and glycopeptide hormones), cytoplasm (steroid hormones) and nucleus (thyroid and steroid hormones).

Detailed explanation-4: -Hormones play a critical role in the regulation of physiological processes because of the target cell responses they regulate. These responses contribute to human reproduction, growth and development of body tissues, metabolism, fluid, and electrolyte balance, sleep, and many other body functions.

Detailed explanation-5: -Endocrine glands, which are special groups of cells, make hormones. The major endocrine glands are the pituitary, pineal, thymus, thyroid, adrenal glands, and pancreas. In addition, men produce hormones in their testes and women produce them in their ovaries.