autocrine

adj. describing or relating to a type of cellular signaling in which a chemical messenger is secreted by a cell into its environment and feeds back to elicit a response in the same cell. For example, some nerve cells have autoreceptors that are affected by neurotransmitter molecules released by the same cell. Compare endocrine; paracrine.

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Psychology term of the day

May 9th 2024

sudden unexpected nocturnal-death syndrome

see nightmare-death syndrome.