Which effect is consistently associated with a "second messenger"?
A) ionotropic
B) metabotropic
C) inhibitory
D) excitatory

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A second messenger is a signaling molecule that is produced inside a cell in response to a triggering event, such as the binding of a neurotransmitter to a receptor. This second messenger then goes on to initiate various signaling pathways within the cell, which ultimately lead to a cellular response. This type of signaling is known as metabotropic, as it involves the activation of G-protein coupled receptors and downstream signaling cascades, rather than directly opening or closing ion channels (ionotropic). Inhibitory or excitatory effects depend on the specific signaling pathways being initiated by the second messenger, and are not consistently associated with this type of signaling.

Which Effect Is Consistently Associated with a "Second Messenger