Messenger
Messenger (medicine)
Messenger (pronounced: /ˈmɛsɪndʒər/) is a term used in the field of medicine to refer to molecules that carry signals and information between cells. The term is derived from the Latin word "missus", meaning "sent".
Etymology
The term "messenger" in the context of medicine is derived from the Latin word "missus", which means "sent". This is in reference to the role these molecules play in transmitting signals and information between cells.
Types of Messengers
There are several types of messengers in the field of medicine, including:
- Hormones: These are chemical messengers that are produced by glands in the endocrine system and travel through the bloodstream to various tissues and organs in the body.
- Neurotransmitters: These are chemical messengers that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron (nerve cell) to another 'target' neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell.
- Cytokines: These are a broad and loose category of small proteins that are important in cell signaling. They are released by cells and affect the behavior of other cells.
Related Terms
- Signal transduction: This is the process by which a chemical or physical signal is transmitted through a cell as a series of molecular events, most commonly protein phosphorylation catalyzed by protein kinases, which ultimately results in a cellular response.
- Cell signaling: This is part of any communication process that governs basic activities of cells and coordinates multiple-cell actions.
- Endocrine system: This is a messenger system comprising feedback loops of the hormones released by internal glands of an organism directly into the circulatory system, regulating distant target organs.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Messenger
- Wikipedia's article - Messenger
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