What are body cells that react to a particular hormone called?

• A. Endocrine glands
• B. Hormone receptors
• C. Target organ cells
• D. Steroid cells

Answer: (C)

Cells that respond to a hormone are called target cells. These cells have specific receptors for that hormone, so when the hormone binds, it triggers a signaling cascade that alters the cell’s activity, gene expression, or metabolism. Hormones travel through the bloodstream and only affect tissues whose cells carry the appropriate receptor, making those cells the targets of the hormone’s action. The term target organ cells captures this idea, since it’s the cells in the organs that respond to the hormone. Endocrine glands are about hormone production, not the reacting cells. Hormone receptors are the binding proteins on cells, but the question points to the cells themselves, which are defined by having those receptors. Steroid cells isn’t a standard way to label the responding cells.