Question

What are second messengers, and which type of synapse relies on them?

   What are second messengers, and which type of synapse relies on them?

Biological Psychology

Biological Psychology

James W. Kalat 12th Edition

Chapter 2, Problem 11

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Joanna Quigley

10/07/2020

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They are involved in the transmission of signals in various biological processes, including synaptic transmission. Show more…

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What are second messengers, and which type of synapse relies on them?

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Key Concepts

Second Messengers

Second messengers are small intracellular molecules that act as signal transducers. They are generated when an extracellular signal, such as a neurotransmitter, binds to a receptor on the cell surface. This leads to a cascade of biochemical reactions that amplify the original signal and produce a specific cellular response. Common examples include cyclic AMP (cAMP), inositol triphosphate (IP3), diacylglycerol (DAG), and calcium ions.

Metabotropic Synapses

Metabotropic synapses rely on second messengers. Unlike ionotropic synapses, where neurotransmitters directly gate ion channels to produce rapid responses, metabotropic synapses activate G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) that initiate intracellular signaling cascades involving second messengers. This results in slower, longer-lasting effects that can modulate various cellular processes and neural circuit functions.

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