From: gts (gts_2000@yahoo.com)
Date: Tue Oct 08 2002 - 17:40:37 MDT
Lee Daniel Crocker wrote:
> Now that's just complete nonsense. The only thing that neuron does
> that's under the "control" of DNA is mitosis.
Actually *that* is complete nonsense.
Most hormones for example bind to their corresponding receptors (the
receptor is a molecule embedded in the surface of the cell membrane).
This initiates a chemical signaling process inside the cell that
communicates the presence of the hormone to the DNA in the nucleus.
Depending the function of the cell, the relevant genes then initiate the
transcription processes by which proteins and enzymes are synthesized.
Those proteins directly and immediately affect the activity of the cell.
This process is true for all hormones that act via receptors, (as most
do), and it is true for all cells that respond to those hormones. In
other words I am not referring here only to neurons and testosterone.
DNA controls the activity of cells via non-hormonal mechanisms as well.
If you honestly believe DNA sits silent except during mitosis then I
would urge you to pick up any high-school physiology text and check
again.
-gts
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