A hydrophilic peptide hormone is produced in the anterior pituitary gland located at the base of the brain. The hormone targets specific cells in many parts of the body.

Which of the following best explains a possible mechanism that would enable the hormone to efficiently reach all of the target cells in the body?

answer choices
The hormone interacts with the nerves at the base of the brain and directs signals to the target cells through the nervous system.

The hormone diffuses into target cells adjacent to the anterior pituitary gland, where the hormone is degraded.

The hormone is released into the bloodstream where it can be transported to all cells with the correct receptors.

The hormone moves through cytoplasmic connections between cells until it has reached all cells with the correct intracellular binding sites.