Which mechanism provides slower, longer-lasting control than nerve impulses?

The mechanism that provides slower, longer-lasting control than nerve impulses is hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers produced by endocrine glands and are released into the bloodstream. Once in the circulatory system, they can travel significant distances to reach target cells or organs, where they exert their effects over a more extended period. This process is inherently slower than nerve impulses, which are rapid and localized signals transmitted through neural pathways.

Hormones can control various physiological processes, such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction, and their effects can last from minutes to days or even longer, depending on the specific hormone and its function. This prolonged response is critical for maintaining homeostasis and coordinating complex bodily functions that require sustained regulation, such as stress responses or changes in developmental stages.

In contrast, neurotransmission acts quickly and typically involves precise and short-duration effects, making it unsuitable for long-term regulation. Reflex actions, while also involving rapid neural responses, do not offer the prolonged control provided by hormonal signaling. Positive feedback mechanisms may lead to a significant amplification of a response but do not define a method of control like hormones do. Thus, hormones stand out as the mechanism for slower and longer-lasting control in the body.