What is the term for the secretion from an endocrine gland that affects specific tissues in the body?

The term for the secretion from an endocrine gland that affects specific tissues in the body is hormone. Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream to target organs or tissues, where they elicit specific physiological responses. Each hormone has a unique function and can influence various processes in the body, including growth, metabolism, and reproductive functions.

In contrast, enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up biochemical reactions but do not function as messengers. Proteins are large molecules composed of amino acids that play many roles, including structural, enzymatic, and signaling functions, but the term specifically referring to the secretion from endocrine glands is hormone. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals across synapses in the nervous system, serving a distinct role in neural communication rather than endocrine signaling.