Releasing a chemical compound enables diffusion around the original cell, potentially reaching all cells in the body. This chemical communication can be slower but reaches cells beyond nervous connections, ensuring steady and persistent transmission of information.
Why does the release of a chemical compound by stimulated cells, as opposed to an electrical impulse, allow for broader communication within a multicellular organism?
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The release of a chemical compound by stimulated cells, as opposed to an electrical impulse, allows for broader communication within a multicellular organism because chemicals can travel beyond nerve cells and reach distant target cells via bodily fluids. Unlike electrical impulses, which are localized to neural networks, chemical signaling involves the release of signaling molecules (e.g., hormones) into the bloodstream. These molecules can travel throughout the organism, ensuring widespread and systemic communication. This chemical mode of signaling facilitates coordination among various tissues and organs, enabling multicellular organisms to achieve integrated responses to stimuli across their entire body.