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Autocrine signaling is a form of cell signaling in which a cell secretes a hormone or chemical messenger (called the autocrine agent) that binds to autocrine receptors on that same cell, leading to changes in the cell. [1] This can be contrasted with paracrine signaling, intracrine signaling, or classical endocrine signaling.
Autocrine signaling is a special case of paracrine signaling where the secreting cell has the ability to respond to the secreted signaling molecule. [9] Synaptic signaling is a special case of paracrine signaling (for chemical synapses ) or juxtacrine signaling (for electrical synapses ) between neurons and target cells.
The endocrine system [1] is a messenger system in an organism comprising feedback loops of hormones that are released by internal glands directly into the circulatory system and that target and regulate distant organs. In vertebrates, the hypothalamus is the neural control center for all endocrine systems.
The endocrine glands belong to the body's control system. The hormones which they produce help to regulate the functions of cells and tissues throughout the body. Endocrine organs are activated to release their hormones by humoral, neural, or hormonal stimuli. Negative feedback is important in regulating hormone levels in the blood.
Heterocrine glands (or composite glands) are the glands which function as both exocrine gland and endocrine gland. [1] These glands exhibit a unique and diverse secretory function encompassing the release of proteins and non-proteinaceous compounds, endocrine and exocrine secretions into both the bloodstream and ducts respectively.
Other hormones, called prohormones, must be activated in certain cells through a series of steps that are usually tightly controlled. [8] The endocrine system secretes hormones directly into the bloodstream, typically via fenestrated capillaries, whereas the exocrine system secretes its hormones indirectly using ducts.
An antagonist is a chemical that acts within the body to reduce the physiological activity of another chemical substance (such as an opiate); especially one that opposes the action on the nervous system of a drug or a substance occurring naturally in the body by combining with and blocking its nervous receptor.
A chemical message is any compound that serves to transmit a message, and may refer to: Hormone, long range chemical messenger; Neurotransmitter, communicates to adjacent cells; Neuropeptide, a protein sequence which acts as a hormone or neurotransmitter. The blood or other body fluids transport neuropeptides to non adjacent target cells, where ...