Explain the differences between neuronal and hormonal communication and give an example of each.

Neuronal signals are often transmitted over a relatively short distance and over a short period of time. Due to pathways of neurons these signals can be incredibly specific, coming from one stimulus and being received by a specific target tissue. An example of neuronal communication is the pain response in the arm: the receptors in the skin on the finger detect the heat stimulus of a flame, a sensory neuron carries the information to a relay neuron which connects to a motor neuron and this stimulates an effector. The effector, the bicep muscle, then contracts to take the finger away from the flame.
Hormonal signals are chemical messengers and can be used to send signals all over the body and tend to last for a long time if they are not broken down in the target tissue. It is a slower means of communication as the hormones are transported through the blood. An example of hormonal communication is the control of blood glucose concentration: A low blood glucose concentration is detected by the receptors on the pancreas. The pancreas then secretes glucagon into the blood which is detected by target cells in the liver which break down the glycogen into glucose and release it into the blood raising the blood glucose concentration.