PATHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -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-2: -So why do hormones affect only their target cells in particular tissues? Because only those target cells have receptors for that particular hormone. Some hormones bind to receptors on the surface of target cells. Others enter the cells and bind to receptors in the cytoplasm or nucleus.

Detailed explanation-3: -From the blood stream, the hormones communicate with the body by heading towards their target cell to bring about a particular change or effect to that cell. The hormone can also create changes in the cells of surrounding tissues (paracrine effect).

Detailed explanation-4: -The cells which are acted upon by hormones are called target cells.