Hormones are molecular messengers that carry out their action via hormone receptors. Hormone receptors are proteins that receive hormones secreted from various glands throughout the endocrine system. These receptors are connected to one or more effector networks that allow them to mediate the action of the hormone received. If a hormone receptor is present in a certain tissue, it outlines the target cells of a specific hormone as well as allowing for a mechanism by which the hormone can act. These receptors are known to elicit widespread effects on the human body through the use of something called “second messengers”. A second messenger relays information from the receptor to different effector systems associated with that receptor, for example, the arrival of a hormone. A very important second messenger in the endocrine system is cyclic adenosine monophosphate or cAMP. This molecule allows the endocrine system to mediate the effects of many different hormones in many different tissues. Hormone receptors are the link between the desired effect of a hormone signal and the actual effect of hormone action.
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