Write a note on secondary messenger.
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for a brief explanation or note regarding secondary messengers in biological processes, particularly focusing on their role and examples such as Ca²⁺ ion and IP3.
Answer
Secondary messengers relay signals from cell receptors to internal targets, regulating responses like gene expression.
Secondary messengers are intracellular signaling molecules that relay external signals from cell surface receptors to target molecules in the cell's interior. Examples include cAMP, Ca2+, and IP3. They play crucial roles in regulating physiological processes like gene expression and metabolic activities.
Answer for screen readers
Secondary messengers are intracellular signaling molecules that relay external signals from cell surface receptors to target molecules in the cell's interior. Examples include cAMP, Ca2+, and IP3. They play crucial roles in regulating physiological processes like gene expression and metabolic activities.
More Information
Secondary messengers amplify the signals received by cell receptors, allowing a small number of signaling molecules to have a large effect within the cell.
Tips
Avoid confusing secondary messengers with primary messengers, which are the extracellular signals like hormones.
Sources
- Second messenger system - Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org
- Second Messengers - PMC - pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov