Question
What does an endocrine gland mean in this context, and what is the key contrast the MCAT likes?
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Answer
A ductless gland that secretes into blood; exocrine glands use ducts.
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Question
What is a hormone, and what makes a cell a target cell?
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Answer
A bloodborne chemical messenger; target cells express its receptor.
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Question
Why can one hormone circulate widely but affect only certain cells?
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Answer
Only receptor-expressing cells respond; receptor expression confers specificity.
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Question
Paracrine vs. autocrine signaling: how do they differ?
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Answer
Paracrine signals nearby cells; autocrine signals the same cell.
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