Can oxytocin travel from one cell to another via gap junctions?
No, oxytocin does not travel from one cell to another via gap junctions. Gap junctions are specialized channels that allow direct communication between adjacent cells by enabling the passage of ions, small molecules, and electrical signals. They are primarily involved in the exchange of information and coordination of activities between cells within a tissue or organ.
Oxytocin, on the other hand, is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary gland. It is involved in various physiological processes, including childbirth, lactation, social bonding, and emotional regulation. Oxytocin is typically released into the bloodstream, and it acts as a signaling molecule that binds to specific receptors on target cells in distant parts of the body.
Therefore, oxytocin travels systemically through the bloodstream and exerts its effects by binding to receptors on the surface of target cells rather than passing directly through gap junctions.
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