Which characteristic is true for a hormone?

The characteristic that a hormone targets specific organs or tissues is fundamental to how hormones function within the body. Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by glands and circulated in the bloodstream to reach various parts of the body. However, they do not affect all cells indiscriminately; rather, they bind to specific receptors located on the target organs or tissues that are equipped to respond to those particular hormones. This targeted action is critical for maintaining homeostasis and regulating various physiological processes, such as metabolism, growth, and mood.

In contrast, inhibiting cell growth or being produced in large quantities are not defining traits of hormones. For instance, while some hormones can inhibit growth in certain contexts, that is not a universal characteristic applicable to all hormones. Similarly, hormones are not stored indefinitely; they have specific half-lives and are often metabolized and excreted from the body after serving their function. Rather than being stored indefinitely, hormones need to be produced and released in response to specific physiological signals, rather than merely existing in large amounts in the body.