Practice Questions

1.Describe how a hormone released by a gland produces an effect in a target organ.

A hormone is secreted by an endocrine gland and carried in the blood to a target organ. The hormone binds to specific receptors on target cells, causing a response in the target organ.

2.The pituitary gland is described as a “master gland”.
Explain what is meant by this term.

The pituitary gland is called the master gland because it releases hormones that control the activity of other endocrine glands by stimulating them to release their own hormones.

3. A hormone is released into the bloodstream but has no effect on some organs.
Explain why.

Hormones only affect target cells that have specific receptors. Some organs do not have the correct receptors, so the hormone cannot bind and has no effect.