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What is a molecule such as a neurotransmitter or a hormone that binds to a receptor called?
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∙ 11y ago
what are the characteristics of action potentials
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∙ 11y ago
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What water-soluble hormone would most likely bind to what membrane proteins?
Channel linked receptors bind to neurotransmitters. (also called ion channels and ligand gated ion channels) A ligand is the signal molecule i.e the neurotransmitter. Hormones bind to intracellular receptors because hormones are non polar and can cross the cell's plasma membrane. (also called cytoplasmic receptors)
What would happen if a hormone receptor did not bind to the right site?
I'm assuming you're asking what would happen if a receptor did not bind the proper hormone. The answer is a complex one because binding to a receptor does not necessarily mean that the receptor will be activated. Sometimes binding causes receptor inhibition; other times it can mean that the properties of the receptor change so that other hormones have an easier/harder time binding and activating it. But for the sake of giving an answer, let's say that we want to know what happens if a hormone binds and activates the wrong receptor. That answer is a relatively simple one: in most cases, the same events would take place that normally happen when the correct hormone binds the receptor. Let's take an example of a relatively uncommon cause of hypertension called hypertension exacerbated in pregnancy. In this condition, there's a mutation in the receptor for the hormone aldosterone that allows other hormones besides aldosterone (eg, progesterone) to bind it and activate it. When progesterone levels are high, as in pregnancy, the extra progesterone binds and heavily activates the aldosterone receptor, and the receptor essentially "thinks" that aldosterone has bound. So the action of progesterone at the aldosterone receptor are the same as aldosterone itself; since aldosterone is a major contributor to blood pressure, blood pressure increases to very high levels.
How can one hormone molecule lead to the synthesis of thousands of enzyme molecules?
The mechanism through which a single hormone molecule triggers the generation of thousands to millions of enzyme molecules is called biological signal transductionThis process begins with a hormone molecule binding to its receptor on the surface of a cell. Following this, there is a signal generated.Inmolecular biology, asignal is said to be generated when a certain inter-cellular or membrane-bound protein becomes phosphorylated and triggers further downstream events.The ultimate result (or the end step) ofthis signal transduction pathwayis to up-regulate thetranscription of a specific enzyme-coding gene. When many copies of thisgene are transcribed,several molecules of the enzymeswill be produces.
Describe how synapses work?
The action potential reaches the pre synaptic area, which opens a voltage sensitive Calcium ion gate, allowing calcium ions to move in via diffusion along an electrochemical gradient. The period of refraction (repolarisation) closes this gate. The increased conc. of Calcium ions pushes vesicles with neurotransmitter to the presynaptic membrane, where they fuse and exocytosis causes the neurotransmitter to be released across the synaptic cleft. The NT binds to a receptor which opens Na+ channels on the postsynaptic membrane, allowing depolarisation due to Na+ diffusion which continues the action potential across the other neurone. The neurotransmitters are broken down by enzymes or are reabsorbed by endocytosis into the presynaptic cleft, using energy from ATP.
Neurotransmitters bind to specific proteins on the postsynaptic membrane called?
Receptor molecules, or called receptor proteins.
When a hormone molecule binds to a specific protein on the plasma membrane the protein it binds to is called?
... a receptor protein.
What is the molecule called that can bind to a receptor protein?
The molecule that can bind to a receptor protein is called a ligand.
What water-soluble hormone would most likely bind to what membrane proteins?
Channel linked receptors bind to neurotransmitters. (also called ion channels and ligand gated ion channels) A ligand is the signal molecule i.e the neurotransmitter. Hormones bind to intracellular receptors because hormones are non polar and can cross the cell's plasma membrane. (also called cytoplasmic receptors)
What enables a cell to pick up and concentrate a specific kind of molecule?
Receptor-mediated endocytosis: only a specific molecule, called a ligand, can bind to the receptor. Without receptor binding occurring first, endocytosis does not proceed.
What would happen if a hormone receptor did not bind to the right site?
I'm assuming you're asking what would happen if a receptor did not bind the proper hormone. The answer is a complex one because binding to a receptor does not necessarily mean that the receptor will be activated. Sometimes binding causes receptor inhibition; other times it can mean that the properties of the receptor change so that other hormones have an easier/harder time binding and activating it. But for the sake of giving an answer, let's say that we want to know what happens if a hormone binds and activates the wrong receptor. That answer is a relatively simple one: in most cases, the same events would take place that normally happen when the correct hormone binds the receptor. Let's take an example of a relatively uncommon cause of hypertension called hypertension exacerbated in pregnancy. In this condition, there's a mutation in the receptor for the hormone aldosterone that allows other hormones besides aldosterone (eg, progesterone) to bind it and activate it. When progesterone levels are high, as in pregnancy, the extra progesterone binds and heavily activates the aldosterone receptor, and the receptor essentially "thinks" that aldosterone has bound. So the action of progesterone at the aldosterone receptor are the same as aldosterone itself; since aldosterone is a major contributor to blood pressure, blood pressure increases to very high levels.
How can nicotine effect the brain?
Your brain is made up of billions of nerve cells. They communicate by releasing chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. Each neurotransmitter is like a key that fits into a special "lock," called a receptor, located on the surface of nerve cells. When a neurotransmitter finds its receptor, it activates the receptor's nerve cell. The nicotine molecule is shaped like a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine and its receptors are involved in many functions, including muscle movement, breathing, heart rate, learning, and memory. They also cause the release of other neurotransmitters and hormones that affect your mood, appetite, memory, and more. When nicotine gets into the brain, it attaches to acetylcholine receptors and mimics the actions of acetylcholine. Nicotine also activates areas of the brain that are involved in producing feelings of pleasure and reward. Recently, scientists discovered that nicotine raises the levels of a neurotransmitter called dopamine in the parts of the brain that produce feelings of pleasure and reward. Dopamine, which is sometimes called the pleasure molecule, is the same neurotransmitter that is involved in addictions to other drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Researchers now believe that this change in dopamine may play a key role in all addictions. This may help explain why it is so hard for people to stop smoking. For the source and more detailed information concerning this subject, click on the related links section (NIDA) indicated below.
How does the synapse work between each neuron?
There are many kinds of synapses in the nervous system, but I assume you're talking about the most commonly discussed type: the chemical synapse. These synapses join nerve cells (called neurons) and allow them to communicate.Communication across a chemical synapse is called synaptic transmission. It occurs when electrical activity (called an action potential) in the first cell triggers the release of a chemical signal (called a neurotransmitter) across the synapse. The neurotransmitter travels across the synapse by a process of diffusion, ultimately reaching its target, the second cell. There, the neurotransmitter binds a special type of protein molecule called a neurotransmitter receptor, which changes its shape in response to binding the neurotransmitter. This shape change results in a series of subsequent changes in the second cell. These subsequent changes result in alterations in the electrical activity of the second cell.The gist of synaptic transmission is that it allows the electrical activity in one nerve cell to influence the electrical activity of another.
What substance is produced and released by neurons in the brain?
The substance that is produced and released by neurons in the brain is a hormone called dopamine. It acts as a neurotransmitter that sends signals between nerve cells.
How can one hormone molecule lead to the synthesis of thousands of enzyme molecules?
The mechanism through which a single hormone molecule triggers the generation of thousands to millions of enzyme molecules is called biological signal transductionThis process begins with a hormone molecule binding to its receptor on the surface of a cell. Following this, there is a signal generated.Inmolecular biology, asignal is said to be generated when a certain inter-cellular or membrane-bound protein becomes phosphorylated and triggers further downstream events.The ultimate result (or the end step) ofthis signal transduction pathwayis to up-regulate thetranscription of a specific enzyme-coding gene. When many copies of thisgene are transcribed,several molecules of the enzymeswill be produces.
Describe how synapses work?
The action potential reaches the pre synaptic area, which opens a voltage sensitive Calcium ion gate, allowing calcium ions to move in via diffusion along an electrochemical gradient. The period of refraction (repolarisation) closes this gate. The increased conc. of Calcium ions pushes vesicles with neurotransmitter to the presynaptic membrane, where they fuse and exocytosis causes the neurotransmitter to be released across the synaptic cleft. The NT binds to a receptor which opens Na+ channels on the postsynaptic membrane, allowing depolarisation due to Na+ diffusion which continues the action potential across the other neurone. The neurotransmitters are broken down by enzymes or are reabsorbed by endocytosis into the presynaptic cleft, using energy from ATP.
Relaying a message from a receptor protein to a molecule that performs a specific function within a cell is called?
Signal Transduction
What are three ways neurotransmitters are removed?
3 ways neurotransmitters can be removed: 1. Reuptake- reabsorption of the neurotransmitter into the neuron. 2. Enzymatic degradation- destruction of the neurotransmitter with special chemicals called enzymes. 3. Diffusion- The neurotransmitter becoming detached from the receptor and drifting out of the synaptic cleft.
