Cell signalling Flashcards
Why is cell signalling important for processing information?
Human body receives millions of inputs for many sources each day so it must be able to:
detect inputs
process information
manufacture an appropriate response
Why is cell signalling important for self- preservation?
Most innate response from external stimulus is for self-preservation e.g. spinal reflex arc
However threatening stimulus may require coordinated movement of a number of areas
Why is cell signalling important for voluntary movement?
For average individual voluntary movement is required to perform daily tasks
Why is cell signalling important for homeostasis?
Brain must be able to communicate will all organs, tissues and cells to maintain homeostasis
Although the brain is the central processing unit it does outsource certain tests e.g. parathyroid glands responsible for regulating calcium levels
What are 2 main systems which provide lines of communication?
Nerve fibres of central and peripheral nervous system - rapid and has instantaneous response
Blood vessels of cardiovascular system - slower, more versatile regulation
How is neurotransmission used for signaling?
- Propagation of AP
- AP propagated by VGSCs opening
- Na+ influx, membrane depolarisation, AP moves along neurone
- VGKC opening, k+ efflux, repolarisation - Neurotransmitter release from vesicles
- AP opens VGCCs at presynaptic terminal
- Ca2+ influx
- Vesicle exocytosis - Activation of postsynaptic receptors
- NT binds to receptors on post-synaptic membrane
- Receptors modulate post-synaptic activity - Activation of postsynaptic receptors
- signal can be transmitted by a variety of different types of receptors
What is the physiological response to hypoglycaemia?
Glycogen breakdown (glycogenolysis) Gluconeogenesis
- glucagon is secreted by alpha cells of islets of Langerhans
- glucagon travels out of pancreas into blood vessels
- glucagon stimulates glycogenolysis and gluconeogensis within liver increasing blood glucose levels
What is the physiological response to hyperglycaemia?
Glucose uptake Reduced gluconeogensis Reduced glycolysis 1. Increased blood glucose levels detected and insulin secreted by beta cells in islets of Langerhans 2. Insulin has paracrine effects: - inhibits glucagon secretion - also has endocrine effect on liver
How does paracrine signalling differ?
Acts on adjacent cells
e. g.
- nitric oxide produced by endothelial cells in blood vessels
- Osteoclast activating factors produced by adjacent osteoblasts
How do membrane proteins signal when a pathogen is detected?
- Blood bourne virus detected in blood by antigen presenting cell
- APC digests pathogen and expresses MHC class II on surface
- Circulating T lymphocyte engages with MHC through T cell receptor interaction
e.g. HIV GP120 glycoprotein interaction with CD4 receptor
How is autocrine communication used for cell signalling in T cells?
Activated TCR will initiate a cascade of reactions within T cell
Activated T cell express IL-2 on surface
Activates T cell will also secrete IL-2 which:
- binds to IL-2 receptor on same cell
- binds to IL-2 receptor on adjacent activated T cell
What are receptors?
They’re usually proteins which bind to ligands and elicit an effect in a cell upon activation
What is a second messanger?
A chemical messenger thats separate from the receptor which causes an intracellular effect to be evoked by the occupied receptor
What are the 4 categories of receptors?
Ligand-gated ion channel receptor
Enzyme linked receptors
G protein coupled receptors
Intracellular receptors
How do ligand- gated ion channel (inotropic) receptors work?
- Ligand binds to receptor protein
- Change in confirmation of channel protein- opening of a pore
- Pore allows ion to move in or out of cell according to its conc. gradient