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Name: Jonalyn
Status: Student
Grade:  Other
Location: Outside U.S.
Country: Philippines
Date: October 2008
Question:
How are chemicals detected by cells? How could a body distinguish among many different chemicals?


Replies:
Protein receptors on the surface of cells bind the chemical and this sets off a chain of biochemical reactions inside the cell. When the protein molecule binds the chemical, it changes shape or orientation which sets off the chain of reactions. Look up the binding of adrenalin to liver cells which causes the release of glucose in to the blood stream.

Ron Baker, Ph.D.


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