Describe the two types of hormone receptors

Hormones cause cellular changes by binding to receptors on target cells. The number of receptors on a target cell can increase or decrease in response to hormone activity. Hormones can affect cells directly through intracellular hormone receptors or indirectly through plasma membrane hormone receptors.

What You’ll Learn to Do

• Explain how hormones work
• Describe the structure and function of intracellular hormone receptors
• Describe the structure and function of plasma membrane hormone receptors

Learning Activities

The learning activities for this section include the following:

• Hormones
• Intracellular Hormone Receptors
• Plasma Membrane Hormone Receptors
• Self Check: How Hormones Work