Compare and contrast neurotransmitters and hormones.
What will be an ideal response?
Answer:
o Both hormones and neurotransmitters are signaling molecules that can be released by specific cells to influence the behavior of other cells. In fact, some signaling molecules can be classified as a hormone and neurotransmitter depending on how it is being used by the body. The major difference between hormones and neurotransmitters is how they are released. Hormones will be released from endocrine glands directly into the systemic circulation. Neurotransmitters will be released by neurons only at a synapse. This difference in release strategy directly influences how these signaling molecules effect target cells. Hormones can effect any cell in the body that has a receptor to recognize that hormone - giving them a more global influence over cellular behavior. Neurotransmitters can only bind and effect receptors that are located on the postsynaptic cell - limiting their effect to one cell. Both mechanisms are important to maintaining homeostasis and losing either type of signaling molecules would be very harmful to the body.
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