Loading…
Loading…
GCSE Biology · key term
An organ whose cells respond to a particular hormone.
Used by AQA and Edexcel
Specification 4.5.3.1 · Paper 2
Revise: Endocrine SystemThe blood carries a hormone around the body to a target organ, where it produces an effect. Although the hormone circulates widely, only cells able to respond to that particular hormone act on its message.
Specification 7.1 · Paper 2
A cell, tissue or organ that responds to a particular hormone because it has the appropriate receptors.
Keep the route clear: endocrine gland → hormone in the bloodstream → target organ → effect.
Distinguish the gland that produces a hormone from the target organ on which that hormone acts.
Create a free account to read GCSE Biology revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.
A target organ does not have to be the gland that made the hormone.