Final answer:
Nitric oxide mediates many of its biological actions through the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) by activating cytoplasmic guanylyl cyclase, inducing physiological responses like vasodilation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many of the actions of nitric oxide (NO) are mediated by cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) produced by the activation of a cytoplasmic guanylyl cyclase. NO is a signaling molecule that can diffuse across the plasma membrane due to its gaseous state and can interact with various cellular components to induce changes in cellular processes. For instance, NO plays a crucial role in causing vasodilation by triggering the release of cGMP, which then results in the relaxation of smooth muscle tissues. This is particularly important in certain biological responses such as increasing blood flow or mediating the action of drugs like Nitroglycerin and prescription medications for erectile dysfunction.
Answering the original question: Nitric oxide acts as a ligand and upon diffusion into the cell, it activates guanylyl cyclase, which then converts GTP to cGMP; this cGMP serves as a second messenger to propagate the signal for physiological responses such as vasodilation.