The Role of Adrenaline in Cellular Signaling

Understanding Adrenaline Receptor Interaction

The hormone adrenaline can affect only cells with appropriately shaped receptors. Adrenaline can only affect cells with appropriately shaped receptors due the specificity of the hormone signaling mechanism.

Explanation

The hormone adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, can affect only cells with appropriately shaped receptors. This is because of the highly specific nature of hormone signaling: the shape of the receptor must match the shape of the hormone in order for the signaling to occur. This is akin to a key and lock mechanism, where the hormone is the 'key' that fits into the 'lock' of the receptor. Options (2), (3), and (4) are unrelated to how adrenaline functions.

Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, exerts its effects on cells by binding to specific receptors on the cell's surface. These receptors are proteins with unique shapes that can recognize and interact with adrenaline molecules. When adrenaline binds to these appropriately shaped receptors, it triggers a cascade of intracellular events, leading to various physiological responses.

The key to adrenaline's selectivity in affecting cells lies in the specificity of these receptors. Cells that do not possess the appropriate receptors for adrenaline cannot respond to it. In other words, the presence of appropriately shaped receptors is essential for adrenaline to exert its influence on a cell.

Unlike antibodies or ribosomes, which have different functions within cells, adrenaline receptors are specialized proteins designed to respond to this hormone specifically. Additionally, genes responsible for breaking down adrenaline are involved in its metabolism, not in its cellular response.

In summary, the hormone adrenaline affects only cells with appropriately shaped receptors that can recognize and interact with it, allowing for a targeted and specific physiological response.

The hormone adrenaline can affect only cells with ________.

Options:

  1. appropriately shaped receptors
  2. the appropriate antibodies
  3. ribosomes that produce adrenaline
  4. genes that break down adrenaline

Final answer:

Adrenaline can only affect cells with appropriately shaped receptors.

Explanation:

The hormone adrenaline can affect only cells with appropriately shaped receptors. Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, exerts its effects on cells by binding to specific receptors on the cell's surface. These receptors are proteins with unique shapes that can recognize and interact with adrenaline molecules. When adrenaline binds to these appropriately shaped receptors, it triggers a cascade of intracellular events, leading to various physiological responses.

← Algae and sloths a colorful relationship in the rainforest Exploring the science of osmosis with salad preparation →