Describe the pathway of endocrine signaling from hormone release to target cell response, detailing: (1) how water-insoluble hormones are transported in the blood, (2) how the hormone interacts with the target cell, and (3) three general types of cellular responses that can result.
Answer
An endocrine cell secretes a hormone into the extracellular fluid, where it enters the bloodstream for systemic circulation. While water-soluble hormones dissolve directly in plasma, water-insoluble (lipid-soluble) hormones must bind to transport proteins to be carried through the blood. At the target tissue, the hormone exits circulation and selectively binds to a specific receptor on the target cell's surface or within its interior. This receptor activation triggers a cellular response, which typically includes: (1) altering the rates of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, (2) modifying the movement of ions or molecules across the plasma membrane, or (3) regulating gene expression and protein synthesis.
Explanation
Related Questions
- A bull's response to cow-to-cow mounting is described as an example of a visual cue.(basic)
- Explain how the bull-attraction example demonstrates both visual and chemical communication.(intermediate)
- Which set contains only roles attributed to hormones in the slides?(basic)
- Chemical messengers in the human body can be produced by several different cell types, including endocrine cells, neurons, and immune cells.(basic)
- Select ALL examples of pheromone functions identified in the slides.(intermediate)
Want to practice more questions like this?
Join myBenkio free and practice past questions for your Nigerian university courses with AI explanations for every answer.
Start Practicing Free