Question

Calcium is a second messenger that is used in numerous cell types in order to control diverse biological processes (ranging from synaptic vesicle fusion, to muscle contraction, egg fertilization, and much more).

a) Provide a rationale as to how a single ion such as calcium is able to mediate such diverse responses. In other words—how is it that Ca2+ serves to communicate different signals in neurons, versus muscle cells, versus egg cells, etc.?

Answer 1