. What is down-regulation, and what may cause it to occur?Give an example of down-regulation in the body.

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
11th Edition
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Chapter1: The Human Body: An Orientation
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: The correct sequence of levels forming the structural hierarchy is A. (a) organ, organ system,...
icon
Related questions
Question

. What is down-regulation, and what may cause it to occur?
Give an example of down-regulation in the body.

Expert Solution
Step 1

When the surface of target cells has fewer numbers of receptors which means the number of receptors decreases at the surface, it makes the cell less sensitive to any agent or hormones. This is known as downregulation.

Downregulation is exactly the opposite of upregulation or the inverse of it. When there is a long-term or repeated administration of an agonist, downregulation occurs. Apart from downregulation, there may be an occurrence of the receptor's desensitization. 

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Recommended textbooks for you
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Anatomy and Physiology
ISBN:
9780134580999
Author:
Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:
PEARSON
Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy & Physiology
Anatomy and Physiology
ISBN:
9781259398629
Author:
McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:
Mcgraw Hill Education,
Human Anatomy
Human Anatomy
Anatomy and Physiology
ISBN:
9780135168059
Author:
Marieb, Elaine Nicpon, Brady, Patricia, Mallatt, Jon
Publisher:
Pearson Education, Inc.,
Anatomy & Physiology: An Integrative Approach
Anatomy & Physiology: An Integrative Approach
Anatomy and Physiology
ISBN:
9780078024283
Author:
Michael McKinley Dr., Valerie O'Loughlin, Theresa Bidle
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Human Anatomy & Physiology (Marieb, Human Anatomy…
Human Anatomy & Physiology (Marieb, Human Anatomy…
Anatomy and Physiology
ISBN:
9780321927040
Author:
Elaine N. Marieb, Katja Hoehn
Publisher:
PEARSON