Slide Set 3 Flashcards
2 basic types of physiological signals
Electrical : involve changes in membrane potential
Chemical : molecules secreted by cells into extracellular fluid
4 methods of cell-cell communication
Gap Junctions
Contact-dependent signals
Chemicals that diffuse
Long-Distance communication
Gap junctions
- simplest form of cell-to-cell communication
- direct transfer of E and C signals
- creates cytoplasmic bridges between adjacent cells
Which molecules can pass or can’t go through a gap junction
can : ions, amino acids, ATP, cAMP
can’t : large molecules
Connexins
= proteins on the membrane that connects the cell in a gap junction
What is the only means by which electrical signals can pass directly form cell to cell
gap junctions
Contact-dependent signals
- interaction between membrane surface molecules on 2 cells
- immune system, growth, development
- Cell-adhesion molecules (CAMs)
What are CAMs
= Cell-adhesion Molecules
Are present in contact-dependent signals
They transfer signals, like integrins
Chemical signalling
- paracrine : signals secreted by ONE cell and diffuse to the NEXT
- autocrate : signals act on the SAME cell that secreted them
Long-distance communication
- HORMONES
- NEUROTRANSMITTERS
- Cytokines
(also local signalling)
HORMONES
Long-distance
- secreted by endocrine glands/cells into the blood
- cells with RECEPTORS for the hormone (“lock & key”) will respond to the signal
NEUROTRANSMITTERS
Long-distance
= chemicals secreted by neutrons that diffuse across a small gap to the target cell
- use chemical and electrical signals
- have a rapid effect
Neurohormones
examples :
chemicals released by neutrons into the blood for action at a distant target
examples : norepinephrine and epinephrine
CYTOKINES
Local and long-distance signals
- all nucleated cells synthesise and secrete them
- control cell development, differentiation, immune responses
- have a broader action than hormones
- made on demand, not stored
Difference between cytokines & hormones
Cytokines act on a broader spectrum of target cells than hormones. Are like hormone but not produced by a gland, they are made on demand.
Signal pathways
- Ligand/first molecules brings info/signal to target cell
- Ligand-receptor binding activates the receptor
- receptor activates one or more intracellular signal molecules
- Last signal molecule initiates synthesis of target proteins or modifies existing target proteins to create a response
Signal molecule -> binds to __ -> activates intracellular signal molecule -> alters __ -> response
receptor protein
target proteins
Where are receptor proteins located
Inside cell or on the cell membrane
Location of ligand/receptor binding is dependant on whether a signal molecule is __ or __
hydrophobic or hydrophilic
__ signal molecules can diffuse through the phospholipid bilayer binding to __ or __ receptors
Hydrophobic
Cytoplasmic
Nuclear
Receptor activation often turns on or off a _
This is a relatively __ process
gene
slow
Lipophobic signal molecules __ diffuse through the plasma membrane
CAN’T
- they bind to extracellular receptors (on plasma membrane)
- causes a cascade of events
Lipophobic molecules
hydrophilic
- bind to extracellular receptors on plasma membrane
- very rapid response
Lipophilic molecules
hydrophobic
- diffuse through phospholipid bilayer
- bind to cytoplasmic or nuclear receptors
- slow process
(some can bind to membrane receptors in addition to intracellular receptors)