Mechanisms of Hormone Action
Mechanisms of
Hormone Action
Widespread distribution of hormones in the body permits certain hormones, such as the growth hormone of the pituitary gland, to affect most, if not all, cells during specific stages of cellular differentiation. Other hormones produce highly specific responses only in certain target cells and at certain times. Such specificity is made possible by receptor molecules on or in target cells. A hormone will engage only those cells that display the receptor that, by virtue of its specific molecular shape, will bind with the hormone molecule. Other cells are insensitive to the hormone’s presence because they lack the specific receptors. Hormones act through two kinds of receptors: membrane-bound receptors and nuclear receptors.
Widespread distribution of hormones in the body permits certain hormones, such as the growth hormone of the pituitary gland, to affect most, if not all, cells during specific stages of cellular differentiation. Other hormones produce highly specific responses only in certain target cells and at certain times. Such specificity is made possible by receptor molecules on or in target cells. A hormone will engage only those cells that display the receptor that, by virtue of its specific molecular shape, will bind with the hormone molecule. Other cells are insensitive to the hormone’s presence because they lack the specific receptors. Hormones act through two kinds of receptors: membrane-bound receptors and nuclear receptors.
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