How do hormones affect other tissues in the body?

Hormones play a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes throughout the body, and the primary way they reach their target tissues is by circulating through the bloodstream. Once released by endocrine glands, hormones travel via blood to specific target organs or cells that possess the appropriate receptors. This process allows hormones to influence a wide range of bodily functions, including metabolism, growth, mood regulation, and the immune response.

The selection of this answer highlights the significance of the endocrine system's communication method, emphasizing how hormones act systemically rather than localized interactions that might occur with neural signals or muscle contractions. This is essential for understanding how diverse bodily functions can be coordinated from a distance, unlike the immediate and localized actions of the nervous system.