Chemical signaling

Question 1

Very common method for two cells to communicate

Answer 1

Chemical signaling

Question 2

How does chemical signaling between the two cells work? How does the signal reach the second cell? What happens once it reaches it? and then what happens?

Answer 2

one cell releases a chemical signal which reaches the second cell by moving through the ECF. Once it reaches the second cell, the signal binds to the receptors, this alters the activity of the 2nd cell in some way.

Question 3

The cell that releases the chemical signal is the

Answer 3

secretory cell

Question 4

the cell that responds to the chemical signal is the

Answer 4

target cell

Question 5

Is the ability to release a chemical signal restricted to particular cell types?

Answer 5

No, most cells communicate w other cells thru chemical signals

Question 6

local chemical signals used for communication w neighboring cells, so they can coordinate their activities in response to changes in the local environment

Answer 6

paracrines

Question 7

What cell types are specialized for functioning as secretory cells?

Answer 7

endocrine cells and neurons

Question 8

The chemical signals released by endocrine cells are

Answer 8

hormones

Question 9

chemical signals released by neurons are called

Answer 9

neurotransmitters

Question 10

Neurons and endocrine cell can only signal neighboring cells.

Answer 10

No, the can signal target cells that lie far away from them

Question 11

How do neurons reach target cells far way from them? Then where are the neurotransmitters released from?

Answer 11

they extend long axons to their target cells. The cell body can be far from target, but the axon bridges the gap between the two cells.

neurotransmitters are released from axon terminals that lie close to target cells.

Question 12

How do endocrine cells reach target cells that lie far away from them?

Answer 12

By releasing hormones into the blood, which carries hormones to all parts of the body.

Question 13

What are the cells called that combine the characteristics of neurons and endocrine cells?

Answer 13

neurosecretory or neuroendocrine cells

Question 14

what are the chemical signals released by neuroendocrine cells called?

Answer 14

neurohormones

Question 15

What do neurosecretory cells look like? how do they release their chemical signaling?

Answer 15

they look like neurons; they release neurohormones from axon terminal in response to action potentials

Question 16

Where are neurohormones released? How is this different from neurons?

Answer 16

they are not released near target cells (like neurons); they are released near blood capillaries where they enter the blood and reach target cells (similar to hormones)