What type of hormonal signaling involves effects on the secreting cell itself?

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

Prepare for the UCF HSC4558 Pathophysiology II Final Exam. Study effectively with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each complete with hints and explanations. Get ready to ace your exam!

The correct choice is autocrine signaling because it specifically refers to a type of hormonal signaling in which the hormone or signaling molecule acts on the same cell that secreted it. This means that the effects of the signaling are self-directed, allowing the cell to regulate its own functions and responses to stimuli.

In contrast, endocrine signaling involves hormones that are released into the bloodstream and affect target cells that are often far from the original secreting cell. Neurocrine signaling pertains to when neurotransmitters are released from nerve cells and act on neighboring nerve cells or target tissues. Paracrine signaling involves the release of signaling molecules that affect nearby cells in the local environment, but not the cell that produced them.

Thus, autocrine signaling is unique in its self-targeting nature, making it the right answer in the context of this question.