How does a large hormone bind to a cell's exterior (human cell), then send a signal to the interior, which subsequently produces a response?

Hormones can be thought of as messenger molecules that control many of our body's functions by carrying messages. Hormones can cause either short-term or long-term changes depending on the function at hand. In our bodies, the endocrine system is responsible for releasing hormones based on need. Hormones are essential for many processes, including reproduction, growth and development, and metabolism.
When hormones are released, they travel through the bloodstream and find the intended cell, often referred to as a target cell, with matching receptors. This can be compared to a lock and key, where the hormone needs to have a compatible receptor to attach to the cell. The hormone diffuses through the membrane of the target cell and binds to the receptor proteins that receive the message. The biological response is then carried out.