Target Organ - GCSE Biology Definition

A target organ is a specific part of the body that a hormone, drug, or other substance affects. When the body releases hormones into the blood, they travel throughout the body but only act on certain organs or tissues. These target organs have special receptors that interact with the hormone and allow it to trigger a specific response. For example, insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, and its target organs are mainly the liver and muscles, where it helps control blood sugar levels. Understanding target organs is important in GCSE Biology because it shows how the body’s internal communication system works and how treatments can focus on specific areas.