Endocrine signals are signals from distance cells that move using the bloodstream, paracrine signals are signals used to communicate between cells in close proximity, autocrine signals are signals that are received by the same cell in which the signal originated, and direct signaling occurs across gap junctions through the movement of small molecules (such as Calcium ions).

G-protein linked receptors are a type of cell-surface receptor that, when unbound by a ligand, consists of an alphaGDP subunit and a beta gamma subunit. When a ligand binds, GDP is exchanged for GTP, which causes the alphaGTP subunit to dissociate from the receptor and the beta gamma subunit. Then, the alphaGTP and beta gamma subunits can activate other molecules in the cell.

Endocrine signals are signals from cells that move using the bloodstream and signal to distant cells, paracrine signals are signals used to communicate between cells in close proximity, autocrine signals are signals that are received by the same cell in which the signal originated, and direct signaling occurs across gap junctions through the movement of small molecules (such as Calcium ions).

Endocrine signals are signals from cells that move using the bloodstream to signal to distant cells, paracrine signals are signals used to communicate between cells in close proximity, autocrine signals are signals that are received by the same cell in which the signal originated, and direct signaling occurs across gap junctions through the movement of small molecules (such as Calcium ions). Beta cell in the pancreas produce insulin, a hormone, which is secreted into the bloodstream.

 The membrane of the cell is a phospholipid bilayer, which allows hydrophobic molecules to diffuse through it. Small, hydrophobic ligands are able to diffuse through the plasma membrane. Nitric oxide is lipophilic, readily dissolving in lipids, and can diffuse across the plasma membrane. Steroid hormones are hydrophobic, and can thus diffuse across the plasma membrane. Water-soluble ligands cannot diffuse across the plasma membrane to enter a cell.

Given that the hydrolysis of 1 mole of ATP has delta G of , if 2 moles of ATP are hydrolyzed, delta . Reaction D has a delta G of ; when coupled with the hydrolization of 2 moles of ATP, delta G will be . As this is negative, it is indicated that this will be a spontaneous reaction, or can proceed without input of energy.

 ATP coupling is the process where hydrolysis of ATP (a thermodynamically favorable, negative delta G, or spontaneous reaction) is coupled with a thermodynamically unfavorable reaction (a reaction that cannot proceed without energy input).

An endergonic reaction requires input of energy; delta G will be positive. Hydrolysis of ATP, cellular respiration, and catabolism (breakdown of a large molecule) are exergonic processes. The Na+/K+ pump is endergonic, as it requires energy. This process is coupled with ATP hydrolysis to allow it to proceed.

Exergonic reactions are reactions that release energy. Endergonic reactions are reactions that require energy to proceed. Exergonic reactions can occur spontaneously, or are thermodynamically favorable. Endergonic reactions cannot occur spontaneously, or are thermodynamically unfavorable.

ATP hydrolysis is exergonic. ATP phosphorylation is the reverse of ATP hydrolysis, and thus is endergonic.