Basic Concepts in Cell Biology

Question 1

describe cell communication

Answer 1

secretions and signaling by secreted ligands

Question 2

mucous glands

Answer 2

products are rich in glycoproteins and water, secreted via secretory vesicles

Question 3

how to best stain mucus glands?

Answer 3

mucus stains magenta with PAS (PAS stains glycoproteins, so due to the glycoproteins in the product secreted by mucus glands, they are PAS positive)
mucus does not stain with eosin because it is neutral and eosin stains eosinophilic (acidic) components

Question 4

serous glands

Answer 4

secretions are enriched with proteins and water, secreted by secretory granules

Question 5

how best to stain serous glands?

Answer 5

serous glands are eosinophilic, meaning the secretions must be somewhat basic (use H&E stain)

Question 6

describe merocrine/eccrine secretion

Answer 6

contents of secretory vesicles are released into the extracellular space after fusion of the vesicular membrane with the plasma membrane

Question 7

example of a gland that functions via merocrine/eccrine secretion

Answer 7

salivary glands

Question 8

describe apocrine secretion

Answer 8

an entire secretory vesicle and a small rim of the apical cytoplasm (and its plasma membrane) are released into the extracellular space. think of it like the membrane is “bubbling out” rather than the vesicular membrane fusing with the plasma membrane

Question 9

describe mixed glands

Answer 9

glands that contain both mucous and serous cells

Question 10

describe holocrine secretion

Answer 10

an entire cell undergoes cell death, releasing its contents and cell debris into the extracellular space

Question 11

example of a gland that functions via apocrine secretion

Answer 11

mammary glands

Question 12

what is a striated duct

Answer 12

cells characterized by basal infoldings of the plasma membrae, numerous mitochondria, and lots of ion-pumping activity. they are responsible for modifying things secreted by secretory cells. they are present in serous glands, but not with mucous glands because we don’t really modify mucous

Question 13

example of a gland that works via holocrine secretion

Answer 13

sebaceous glands

Question 14

describe cytocrine secretion

Answer 14

an entire viable cell is secreted into the extracellular space after differentiation or maturation, and the secretory material is transferred from one cell to another

Question 15

example of cytocrine secretion

Answer 15

melanin from melanocytes is transferred to keratinocytes

Question 16

how does prozac work?

Answer 16

prevents serotonin reuptake by the presynaptic neuron, so it stays in the synaptic cleft and is available to the postsynaptic cell for longer