Adrenaline
Ligand-gated
Ion Channels

Cell Communication of Adrenaline

Adrenaline is a hormone that is release through intense physical activity or stressful/dangerous situations that require an energy boost.  Our bodies have the ability of a flight or fight response that has been shown throughout time, whether that being men fighting against lions or even rock climbing. The body releases adrenaline to break down  glycogen into energy for physical processes.

How does adrenaline interact with cells?

Adrenaline is a horome that binds to the languid of a plasma membrane receptor of a spefific cell. This receptor is called G-Protien coupled receptor. Once, the ligand binds to the receptor this will cuase a conformational change within its shape which allows the deactivated G-protein to bind to it. The GDP that is attached to the G-protine will be exhcnaged with GTP. This causes an energy source for G-protine allowing it to become activied. After it's actvation, G-protien will move through the cytoplasm to a protein called Adenylyl Cyclase, and attach. GTP will be converted to ATP, then ATP will be converted to Cyclic AMP (cAMP) once the Adenylyl gets activated by G-protein (through it's interaction. The cyclic AMP is a second messager that amplies the messenges that are being sent. cAMP will actiate protien kintase which will phosphorlizae other molecules thus sending and sharing the messege (which is adrenaline to break down glycogen). Finally, the messges being spread by kintase will be controlled/stoppped through enzyme protien phosphatase. Then, glycogen will be broken down into Glucose 1-phosphate, then glycolysis will occur.