What are chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands known as?

Chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands are known as hormones because they are specialized substances that are released into the bloodstream and travel to target organs or tissues to elicit specific physiological responses. Hormones play crucial roles in regulating various bodily functions, including metabolism, growth, development, and homeostasis. They can be classified into different types based on their chemical structures, such as peptides, steroids, and amines, yet all share the common function of signaling and regulating activities across the body.

Proteins and lipids may serve various roles in the body, such as structural components, energy sources, or enzymes, but they do not encompass the broader category of signaling molecules in the context of endocrine signaling. Glucose, while a vital energy source for cellular respiration, does not function as a chemical messenger in the same context as hormones do. Therefore, hormones specifically denote those chemical substances that have the designated role of mediating communication within the endocrine system.