Question

Why is chemical communication better than electric impulses as a means of communication between cells in a multi-cellular organism?

Answer 1

Hint: Electrical signals are produced by the nerves and chemical signals are produced by the hormones. When a neuron fires, an action potential is generated and as a result, the electrical signal passes on by the help of neurons only.
On the other hand, the hormone is released from an endocrine gland and then mixes with blood and diffuses to a long-distance and works on another organ other than its source organs. As the hormone is a chemical compound, so this signaling is called chemical signaling.

Complete answer: Chemical communication is always better than that of electrical impulses as a means of communication between the cells in a multi-cellular organism because
1. Chemical communication involves communication through hormones, it does not require any specialized tissue like nervous tissues for signaling to take place.
2. Chemical signals are carried out by blood and thus have some delay in the response than an electrical one.
3. Electrical communication is limited to only those regions which are connected by nerves while chemical coordination can take place throughout the body.
4. The electrical impulse is very rapid and helps in quick response.
5. Chemical communication can be done steadily & persistently whereas nervous coordination can be done only at intervals i.e. through the nodes of Ranvier.

Note: Communication between two neurons is done by synapse – it means the synapse help to transmit the electrical impulses but no such type of specialized thing is needed for chemical communication. Chemical communication only deals with source organs, blood, and target organ.