# A student is learning about hormonal communication in the human body. Explain how a hormone produced by a gland reaches its target organ and brings about a response. In your answer, include how hormonal communication differs from nervous communication in terms of speed and duration of response.

> OCR A-Level Biology B — Advancing Biology (H422) — 5.8 Hormonal communication · Explain · 5 marks

> Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by glands directly into the bloodstream. They travel to target organs, where they cause a response. The endocrine system works alongside the nervous system to coordinate body functions.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Hormones are secreted by (endocrine) glands / released into the bloodstream
2. Hormones travel in the bloodstream to the target organ
3. Only the target organ responds because it has (complementary / specific) receptors for that hormone
4. Hormonal communication is slower than nervous communication
5. Hormonal responses last longer / have a longer duration than nervous responses

## Key terms

- [hormone](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/hormone)
- [gland](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/gland)
- [target organ](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/target-organ)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR A-Level Biology B — Advancing Biology (H422)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-is-learning-about-hormonal-39ed1719) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.