How do hormones communicate with cells?
Hormones are chemical messengers that produce responses in target cells carrying suitable receptors.
Biological mechanism and regulation
Peptide hormones usually use surface receptors, while steroids use intracellular receptors. Effects depend on amount, receptor number, pathway and clearance.
Evidence, applications and limits
Endocrine axes use feedback, and measurement timing is affected by daily rhythms and meals. Diagnosis combines related hormones with clinical findings. No single molecule or measurement explains the whole system; cell type, timing, environment and feedback must be considered together.
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