ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Second messengers are molecules that relay signals received at receptors on the cell surface-such as the arrival of protein hormones, growth factors, etc.-to target molecules in the cytosol and/or nucleus.

Detailed explanation-2: -Second messengers provide a direct connection between signaling molecules such as neurotransmitters, cytokines, and growth factors and changes in gene expression that are ultimately responsible for the proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of nerve cells.

Detailed explanation-3: -Second messengers trigger physiological changes at cellular level such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, survival, apoptosis and depolarization. They are one of the triggers of intracellular signal transduction cascades.

Detailed explanation-4: -Many second messenger molecules are small and therefore diffuse rapidly through the cytoplasm, enabling information to move quickly throughout the cell.

Detailed explanation-5: -Cyclic AMP (cAMP) Another second messenger used in many different cell types is cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP or cAMP), a small molecule made from ATP.