The second-messenger mechanism of hormone action operates by ________.
A) synthesizing more than one hormone at a time
B) binding to specific receptors and employing the services of G proteins and cAMP
C) increasing the basal metabolic rate in the target organ
D) altering gene expression in the nuclear DNA

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The second-messenger mechanism of hormone action involves hormone molecules binding to specific receptors on the surface of the target cell, which in turn activates G proteins and triggers the production of second messengers such as cAMP. These second messengers then activate protein kinases, which in turn cause a cascade of events within the cell that ultimately leads to the target cell's response to the hormone. This mechanism enables hormones to rapidly and efficiently elicit a response in target cells, as it bypasses the need for hormones to enter the cell and alter gene expression.

The Second-Messenger Mechanism of Hormone Action Operates by ________