Each hormone’s organ specificity is determined by:a)Whether it i...
Hormones are chemical messengers that are released by endocrine glands into the bloodstream and act on specific target cells or organs in the body. For a hormone to exert its effects on a particular organ or tissue, it must bind to specific receptors present on the surface of or within the target cells. These receptors are specific to each hormone or hormone group.
The interaction between a hormone and its specific receptor triggers a series of biochemical reactions and signaling cascades within the target cells, leading to various physiological responses. The binding of the hormone to its receptor is highly specific, and only cells or organs that possess the appropriate receptor will respond to the hormone's signal.
The classification of a hormone as a corticosteroid or a gonadotropic hormone (option A) does not determine its organ specificity. While different hormone classes may have distinct physiological functions and target different organs, their organ specificity is primarily dictated by the specific receptors they interact with.
The signaling cascade initiated by a hormone (option C) is an intracellular process that occurs after the hormone binds to its receptor and triggers cellular responses. This cascade amplifies the hormone's signal and ultimately leads to the desired physiological effects. However, the signaling cascade itself does not determine the organ specificity of the hormone.
Whether a hormone is lipophilic (lipid-soluble) or lipophobic (water-soluble) (option D) affects its mode of action and how it interacts with receptors, but it is not the sole determinant of organ specificity. Lipophilic hormones can cross cell membranes and bind to intracellular receptors, while lipophobic hormones typically bind to cell surface receptors. Nonetheless, the interaction with specific receptors remains the primary factor determining organ specificity.
Therefore, the most accurate answer is that the organ specificity of a hormone is determined by its ability to interact with a specific receptor (option B).