CHEMICAL MESSENGER Meaning and
Definition
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A chemical messenger refers to a substance that carries information within the body or between different parts of the body. Specifically, it is a compound that is released by one cell or group of cells and travels through the bloodstream or extracellular fluid to target cells or organs, where it binds to specific receptors to initiate a response.
Chemical messengers play a crucial role in intercellular communication by transmitting signals that control various physiological processes. These processes include regulating growth, development, and metabolism, as well as coordinating responses to stimuli such as stress or injury.
Examples of chemical messengers include hormones, neurotransmitters, cytokines, and growth factors. Hormones, secreted by various endocrine glands, are chemical messengers that circulate through the bloodstream to distant target cells or organs, influencing their activities. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that are released by neurons and transmit signals across synapses to other neurons or target cells, facilitating nerve impulses.
Cytokines are chemical messengers secreted by immune cells, enabling communication between different parts of the immune system to coordinate immune responses. Growth factors are chemical messengers that regulate cell growth, division, and differentiation during development and tissue repair.
Overall, chemical messengers play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis and ensuring proper physiological functioning in the body by transmitting signals and coordinating various biological processes.
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Autacoid; hormone or chalone (q.v.).
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CHEMICAL MESSENGER
- chemical messengev
- chemical messengep
- chemical messenges
- c hemical messenger
- ch emical messenger
- che mical messenger
- chem ical messenger
- chemi cal messenger
- chemic al messenger
- chemica l messenger
- chemical m essenger
- chemical me ssenger
- chemical mes senger
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Etymology of CHEMICAL MESSENGER
The term "chemical messenger" does not have a specific etymology since it is a compound term derived from the combination of two words: "chemical" and "messenger". However, we can look at the etymology of these individual words.
- "Chemical" originates from the Latin word "chemicus" and from the Greek word "khēmía". Both terms refer to the science or art of alchemy, which involved the transformation of substances. Over time, "chemical" came to refer to substances produced by or used in chemistry.
- "Messenger" comes from the Old English word "mǣþe" meaning "messenger, servant", which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "maiþaz". It can also be linked to the Proto-Indo-European root "*mey-", meaning "to change", "exchange", or "distribute".
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