Question

When cells communicate by the signaling process, one cell produces a _________________BLANK that must be received by the ___________BLANK on or in the responding cell.

Answer 1

Answer:

1. Signaling molecule

2. Signaling receptors

Explanation:

Hormones, growth factors, neurotransmitters, etc. serve the function of signaling molecules for cells. These molecules are released by one cell and bind to the receptors present on/in the target cells to elicit the desired response. Thereby, the signaling molecules serve in cell-cell communication.

For example, insulin hormone synthesized and released from beta cells of pancreas binds to its cell surface receptors present on the surfaces of liver cells and muscle cells to stimulate the uptake of the glucose from the blood.  

Likewise, neurotransmitters released from the presynaptic neuron bind to receptors present on the membrane of postsynaptic neuron and serve to carry the nerve impulse to the postsynaptic neuron.