Question

In: Anatomy and Physiology

The body uses many different types of signals. Types include: 1.   action potentials 2.   cytoskeletal signals...

The body uses many different types of signals. Types include:

1.   action potentials

2.   cytoskeletal signals

3.   neurotransmission

4.   paracrine/autocrine

5.   endocrine.

  1. Qualitatively, how fast is each of these signals transmitted?
  1. How do each of these signals differ in their distance of action? Are these contact-dependent, local, or can they affect distant targets?
  1. Besides speed and distance of action, what are some advantages and disadvantages of these signal types? Describe as many as you can.

Solutions

Expert Solution

1. Action potential:

A rapid rise or fall in voltage across the cellular membrane is called action potential. It causes depolarization of the membrane make the adjacent to similarly depolarize. Nervous system communicate by means of action potential and neurotransmitters. Action potential communicate by means of electrical signal whereas the neurotransmitters are chemical messengers released at the synapse. The transmission of AP is aided by the opening and closing of sodium ion channels.The input potential often spread passively and decrease in amplitude with distance whereas the AP does not decay with the distance. The nervous system and AP are1000 fold  faster than endocrine. The main advantage of AP is they are faster.

2. Cytoskeletal signaling:

Cytoskeletal signaling feature the intracellular signal transduction which involves cascades of reactions and protein which transmit signal from the cell surface through much engaged cellular organelles. Cytoskeltal signaling involves much shorter distance because it involves signaling within the cell. The signaling event is comparatively faster and short lived. The pros of CSS is they are mandate for various cell signaling transduction and survival and apoptotic pathway which crucial to decide the cell fate.

3. Neurotransmission:

Neurotransmission is a example of paracrine signalling. It involves faster transmission of signals across synapse which is the junction between the nerve cells. Signals within the neurons are propagated via rapid electrical impulse and when it reaches dendrite, releases NT. Neurotransmitters are chemical signals released into synaptic cleft and conducted to post synaptic cell. NT usually cover very small distance only between the cells which enable them to travel quickly. The main advantageous of NT is it can either excitatory or inhibitory.

4. Paracrine/autocrine:

Pracrine signalinvolves the conduction of signals to neighboring cells. These kind of signals move through the extracellular matrix by diffusion. It can elicit quick response and short lived. They are localized signals and the signaling molecules are removed quickly by means of enzymes. Removal of signals will help to resstablish the concentration gradient for next signal to diffuse quickly.

Autocrine signals are those in which both the signaling and target cell are same. It often occurs during early embroyonic development. It is more faster than paracrine and localized effect.

They are efficient communication in localized effects.

5. Endocrine:

Endocrine signals broadly refers to hormone communication. These molecules are produced in some cells which is far from the target cells. They reach the target via circulation. They have slower effect but have longer effect than nervous communication.

Various hormones plays important role in controlling various physiological events.


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