Signaalwerking

Signaalwerking is a term used to describe the process by which a signal—chemical, electrical, or environmental—induces a biological, behavioral, or systemic response. The concept covers detection of the signal, its transmission through receptors and intracellular pathways, and the resulting action.

In biology, signal reception occurs at specific receptors on cell membranes or inside cells. Following detection, a signal transduction cascade converts the cue into intracellular messages via second messengers and protein kinases, leading to a coordinated response. This response may involve changes in gene expression, alterations in enzyme activity, modulation of membrane potential, or behavioral outcomes.

Signals can be chemical (neurotransmitters, hormones, pheromones), electrical (nerve impulses), or physical/environmental (light, temperature, mechanical stimuli). Signaalwerking applies to short-range communications within a tissue as well as long-range signaling that traverses organ systems. Signaling networks are often complex and integrated, with multiple signals converging on shared pathways.

Applications of signaalwerking span neuroscience, endocrinology, pharmacology, toxicology, and plant sciences. Examples include neural synaptic signaling, hormonal signaling in endocrine systems, pharmacological modulation by receptor agonists or antagonists, and plant signaling mediated by phytohormones such as auxins and ethylene.

The term is widely used in Dutch-language literature to discuss how signals control biological processes, but the underlying concepts are common to international discussions of signal transduction and cellular communication.

See also: signal transduction, receptor, second messenger, hormone, neural signaling.