Cell to Cell Communication Flashcards
What are the three main stages of cell signaling?
Reception, transduction, and response
What happens during the reception stage?
A cell detects a signaling molecule from the outside of a cell
When is a cell detected?
When the chemical signal binds to a receptor protein on the surface or inside of the cell
What is another name for a chemical signal?
Ligand
What initiates the transduction state?
The signaling molecule binds the receptor and changes the protein in some way
Describe the transduction stage
Cascades of molecular interactions relay signals from receptors to target molecules in the cell
What happens during the response phase?
The signal triggers a specific cellular response
What are the three types of cell to cell communication
Contact-dependent signaling, paracrine signaling, and endocrine signaling
Describe contact-dependent signaling
Cells can communicate by cell-to-cell contact
Describe paracrine signaling
Cells communicate over short distances by using local regulators that target cells in the vicinity of the emitting cells
Describe endocrine signaling
Cells communicate over short distances by using local regulators that target cells in the vicinity of the emitting cell
What is the main benefit of cell signaling via direct physical contact and cell signaling over short distances?
The process is faster
What is the main benefit of cell signaling over long distances?
Many cells can be targeted at once
How is the purpose of cell signaling different in unicellular organisms vs. multicellular organisms?
Unicellular organisms use signals to respond to environmental cues, such as nutrient levels, while multicellular organisms use signals to coordinate cellular activities, ensuring that tissues, organs, and organ systems function correctly
