Question

Amelia's class learned that hormones in the endocrine system function in a similar manner to neurotransmitters in the nervous system. Amelia asks Mrs. Reuben for an example of how hormones behave differently than neurotransmitters. What is Mrs. Reuben's BEST response?
A. Hormones can only travel short distances while neurotransmitters can travel throughout the body
B. Hormones pass messages from cell to cell while neurotransmitters affect cell proteins.
C. Hormones are internal responders while neurotransmitters only react to outside stimuli.
D. Hormones can affect millions of body cells while neurotransmitters are specific to a target cell

Answer 1

D. Hormones (endocrine signals) are released into the bloodstream and can reach and affect many cells throughout the body that have the appropriate receptor, while neurotransmitters act across a synapse and typically influence a specific postsynaptic cell or a very small set of nearby cells. For example, epinephrine circulates widely to prepare many tissues for "fight or flight," whereas acetylcholine released at a neuromuscular junction acts on a single muscle fiber.