How would you contrast hormonal and neural signals?

Answer 1

Both types of signaling can occur over long distances: neurons can send action potentials along

very long axons (from the spinal cord to the fingers, for example), and hormones are passed

through the bloodstream throughout the organism. Neurons secrete large amounts of

neurotransmitters into a small, well-defined space at the synapse, yielding a high local

concentration. Neurotransmitter receptors, theref

ore, need to bind to neurotransmitters with only

low affinity (high

K

d). By contrast, hormones are diluted extensively in the bloodstream, where they

circulate at minuscule concentrations; hormone receptors, therefore, generally bind their hormones

with extremely high affinity (low

K

d). Neuronal signaling is very fast, limited only by the speed of

propagation of the action potential and the workings of the synapse. In addition to speed, nerves

communicate directly with one or a few cells. Hormonal signaling is slower, limited by blood flow

and diffusion over relatively large distances, but it communicates at the same time with all the

diverse and widely dispersed target cells in the body.

Answer 2

Hormonal signals are slower and longer-lasting, traveling through the bloodstream to affect widespread areas of the body. Neural signals are faster and more specific, traveling along nerve cells to target specific regions for rapid, localized responses. Hormonal signals are produced by endocrine glands, while neural signals are produced by the nervous system.