Question

The endocrine system and the nervous system are structurally related. Which of the following cells best illustrates this relationship?

• A. A neuron in the spinal cord
• B. A steroid-producing cell in the adrenal cortex
• C. A neurosecretory cell in the hypothalamus
• D. A cell in the pancreas that produces digestive enzymes

Answer 1

The correct option is C A neurosecretory cell in the hypothalamus

The axons of neurons secrete chemical messengers called neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft. Some specialized neurons secrete chemical messengers into the blood rather than into a synaptic cleft. In these cases, the chemical that the neurons secrete is sometimes called a neurohormone. The distinction between the nervous system and endocrine system blurs when it comes to such molecules. The hypothalamus is the basal part of the diencephalon. The forebrain contains several groups of neurosecretory cells called nuclei which produce hormones. These neurosecretory cells establish the structural similarity between the nervous and endocrine systems.