BIOLCHEM 212 Chapter Notes - Chapter 20: Posterior Pituitary, Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate, Adrenal Gland
14 Dec 2016
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The message is delivered by interaction between the chemical messenger and a receptor at the target. Receptor - a molecule or portion of a molecule with which a hormone, neurotransmitter, or other biochemically active molecule interacts to initiate a response in a target cell. The receptor acts like a lightswitch, causing a biochemical response to occur. These attractions are non-covalent so messages can be delivered but not permanent. The chemical messengers of the endocrine system are the hormones. Hormone - a chemical messenger secreted by cells of the endocrine system and transported through the bloodstream to target cells with appropriate receptors where it elicits a response. Hormones do not carry out chemical reactions. Hormones are messengers that alter the biochemistry of a cell by signaling the inhibition or activation of an existing enzyme, by initiating or altering the rate of synthesis of a specific protein. Insulin is secreted by the pancreas to elevate blood glucose levels.
