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GCSE Biology · key term
A cell, tissue or organ that has receptors for a particular hormone and can therefore respond to it.
Used by OCR
Specification B3.2a · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher)
A cell that has a compatible receptor for a particular hormone and can therefore respond to it.
Revise: Hormonal coordinationCells with the appropriate receptor are called target cells. A tissue or organ containing these cells is a target tissue or target organ. Cells without the compatible receptor do not recognise that hormone and do not make the specific response.
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
When describing the pathway, give the complete sequence: endocrine gland releases a hormone → blood transports it → the hormone binds to compatible receptors on target cells → the target tissue or organ responds.
Keep the roles distinct: glands produce and release hormones, the blood transports them, and receptors allow target cells to detect them.
Do not say that hormones act on every cell. A hormone affects target cells with receptors that can bind to it.
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The hormone binds to matching receptors on particular target cells or effectors.
A cell that has receptors able to bind a particular hormone and respond to it.