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Linking structures to Properties ☆ > Cell Communication > Flashcards

Cell Communication Flashcards

1
Q

What is the importance of cell communication (1)

A

Cell communication is vital to maintain internal conditions (HOMEOSTASIS)

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2
Q

What are the mechanisms that cells use to communicate (2)

A
  1. Direct contact of cell membranes or via tight (gap) junctions
  2. Diffusible chemicals signals
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3
Q

What is gap junctional communication (5)

A
  1. Pores (connexins) exist between adjacent cells.
  2. Allows the free flow of small molecules, ions and electrical signals from cell 1 to cell 2
  3. Selective permeability
  4. The quick exchange facilitates the fast distribution of ‘signal’ across the whole tissue.
  5. Allows for a coordinated/synchronised response of a group of cells/tissue
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4
Q

How is cell communication achieved via diffusible chemical signals (6)

A
  1. Synthesis of signal in the secreting cell
  2. Release of chemical signal from secreting cell
  3. Reception of signal at target cell
  4. Signal transduction in target cell
  5. Response from the target cell
  6. Signal transmission → reception → signal transduction → response
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5
Q

What is the diversity of chemical signalling molecules? (3)

A
  • Hydrophilic or lipophilic
  • Size (small to very large RMM)
  • Release mechanism: storage vesicles, bound to storage proteins, immediate release as synthesised
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6
Q

What are the types of chemical signalling (4)

A
  1. Autocrine signalling
  2. Paracrine signalling
  3. Endocrine and Neuroendocrine signalling
  4. Neuronal signalling
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7
Q

What are local mediators, hormones and neurotransmitters (3)

A
  1. Local mediators = autocrine & paracrine
  2. Hormones = endocrine & neuroendocrine
  3. Neurotransmitters = neuronal
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8
Q

What is autocrine signalling (3)

A
  1. Autocrine - the cell signals itself through a chemical that it synthesises and then responds to.
  2. one cell secreting a molecule = small autocrine signal
  3. several cells = stronger autocrine signal
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9
Q

How is autocrine signalling used in T-cell proliferation (2)

A
  1. Cytokines are signalling peptides and proteins with regulatory functions for the intensity and duration of the immune response.
  2. T-cells respond to antigenic stimulation by synthesising certain cytokines that drive their proliferation, thereby increasing the number of responsive T-cells and amplifying the immune response.
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10
Q

What is paracrine signalling (1)

A

Paracrine - chemical signals that diffuse into the area and interact with receptors on nearby cells

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11
Q

How is paracrine signalling used in cell differentiation (3)

A
  1. Transforming Growth Factors (TGFs) **are types of cytokines that affect the production of specific transcription factors and have important roles in cell differentiation.
  2. TGF-beta is secreted by a variety of cells, including tumour cells, immune cells, and fibroblasts.
  3. It promotes the epithelial cells to mesenchymal cells transition (EMT)
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12
Q

What is endocrine signalling (1)

A

Endocrine-chemical signals are secreted into the blood and carried by blood and tissue fluids to the cells they act upon. The response is cell-specific

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13
Q

How is endocrine signalling used with oestrogen (4)

A
  1. The hormone oestrogen is released via the pituitary gland.
  2. It travels in the blood and affects different parts of the body.
  3. Response A-BRAIN -estrogen helps to maintain body temperature
  4. Response B- BONE- estrogen helps to preserve bone density
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14
Q

What are hormones (4)

A
  1. Hormones produced in one part of the body bind to receptors expressed on target cells that are far away.
  2. Very stable
  3. Act at relatively low concentrations
  4. Responses initiated by them tend to be of long-duration
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15
Q

What are the hormone classifications (2)

A
  1. Polypeptide and Amine which are hydrophilic
  2. steroid (precursor: cholesterol), which is hydrophobic
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16
Q

How is endocrine signalling achieved with hydrophilic hormones (peptides/amines) (4)

A
  1. Peptide hormone binds with a receptor on the cell membrane and activates it.
  2. Binding causes activation of the second messenger
  3. The second messenger activates target proteins.
  4. Target proteins initiate a response.
17
Q

How is endocrine signalling achieved with hydrophobic hormones (steroids) (6)

A
  1. Signal
  2. nucleus receptor
  3. HRE (hormone-response element)
  4. positive charge
  5. gene + mRNA expression
  6. Increased protein X
18
Q

What is neuronal signalling (5)

A
  1. neurone - neurone
  2. neurone - muscle fibres
  3. very close proximity
  4. paracrine signalling
  5. chemical signals = neurotransmitters
19
Q

What is a synapse (3)

A
  1. A synapse is a tiny gap that exists between adjacent neurones (nerve cells) or a neuron and the muscle cell (neuromuscular junction).
  2. Neurotransmission = passing of information from the pre-synaptic neurone to the post-synaptic neurone by a chemical neurotransmitter.
  3. specificity is achieved by the closeness of presynaptic and postsynaptic cells.
20
Q

What are neurotransmitters (4)

A
  1. Chemical signals diffuse into synapses and interact with receptors on nearby cells.
  2. Neurotransmitters can achieve very high local concentrations.
  3. Associated with rapid, short-term responses
  4. Neurotransmitters are quickly degraded or taken back into the cell.
21
Q

How is neurone-neurone communication achieved (1)

A

Nerve impulses flow from the terminal arborisation (TA)/nerve endings of the action of one neuron to the dendrites (D) of another neuron.

22
Q

How is neurone-muscle communication achieved (5)

A

Nerve impulse
1. dendrites
2. cell body
3. axon
4. mylein sheath
5. axon terminal (muscle fibres)

23
Q

What is neuropharmacology (4)

A
  1. Many neurological and psychiatric diseases are caused by pathologic over-activity or under-activity of neurotransmission.
  2. Neuropharmacology is the study of how drugs affect cellular function in the nervous system.
  3. Drugs can act either pre-synaptically to alter levels of the neurotransmitter in the synaptic cleft or by altering the functional state of the postsynaptic receptors.
  4. Drugs targeting the synapse treat a wide range of ailments (for example, cardiac problems, schizophrenia, etc.)
24
Q

What are examples of drugs that target the synapse (5)

A
  1. Antidepressants
  2. Anti-psychotic drugs
  3. Poisons
  4. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
  5. Antihypertensive drugs
25
Q

How do SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) work (2)

A
  1. SSRIs, such as Fluoxetine, block serotonin re-uptake at presynaptic nerve endings.
  2. The blocking of serotonin re-uptake increases serotonin (neurotransmitter) concentration in the synapse and on postsynaptic receptors.
26
Q

How do antipsychotics (dopamine antagonists) work (2)

A
  1. Antipsychotic drugs, such as Olanzapine, prevent dopamine from occupying receptor sites on neuronal cell membranes and exerting their effects on cellular functions.
  2. This action leads to changes in cell functions that account for therapeutic effects (i.e. relief of psychotic symptoms). Other neurotransmitters and receptors may also be involved.
27
Q

How do poisons (e.g. Botulinum) work (1)

A

Botulinum toxin blocks the release of acetylcholine at the synapse and so causes paralysis of muscles.

28
Q

How do acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (e.g. Caffeine) work (3)

A
  1. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, such as caffeine, are indirect-acting cholinergic drugs.
  2. They prevent the enzymatic breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
  3. The acetylcholine remains in the synapse and continues to interact with cholinergic receptors on target effector organs, producing a cholinergic response.
29
Q

How do antihypertensive drugs (e.g. beta-blockers) work (2)

A
  1. beta-adrenergic blocking agents, such as atenolol, prevent adrenaline and noradrenaline from occupying receptor sites on cell membranes.
  2. This action alters cell functions normally stimulated by these neurotransmitters.

Linking structures to Properties ☆ (22 decks)

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