Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

module 102: T3 molecular cell biology > intercellular signalling > Flashcards

intercellular signalling Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Why do cells need to communicate?

A

cells need to be able to coordinate their behaviour

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the types of molecules used as intercellular signals?

A
  • proteins
  • peptides
  • small chemicals
  • dissolved gases
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the signalling molecule that binds to a receptor called?

A

a ligand

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What conditions are necessary for a cell to respond to a signal?

A
  • ligand must be present
  • responding cell must have corresponding receptor
  • receptor must be correctly coupled to intracellular signalling pathway
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the 3 main categories of membrane receptors?

A
  • receptors linked to ion channels
  • G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs)
  • receptors linked to enzymes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which signal molecules can cross the cell membrane and bind directly to receptors inside?

A
  • dissolved gas (e.g nitric oxide)
  • hydrophobic molecules (e.g steroid hormone cortisol)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Where does adrenaline cause different reactions?

A
  • contraction of smooth muscle cells in blood vessels supplying the gut
  • relaxation of smooth muscle cells in blood vessels supplying skeletal muscles
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How can adrenaline cause two different reactions?

A
  • different adrenergic receptors
  • alpha = contraction
  • beta = relaxation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the types of signals?

A
  • endocrine
  • paracrine
  • neuronal
  • autocrine
  • juxtacrine
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Which signal is long range (meters)?

A

endocrine signals

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Which signals are short range (micrometers)?

A
  • paracrine
  • neuronal
  • autocrine
  • juxtacrine
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a cortisol and where is it released from?

A
  • steroid hormone
  • released by adrenal gland on kidneys
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How does the stress response work?

A
  • glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activates and suppresses gene expression
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Give examples of endocrine signalling

A
  • stress response
  • insulin/glucagon
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How do paracrine signals work?

A

signalling molecules released from one cell and diffuse locally to neighbouring cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are some examples of PROTEIN paracrine signals?

A
  • cytokines (immune response)
  • platelet-derived growth factor (cell proliferation)
17
Q

Give an example of an amino acid derivative paracrine signal

A

histamine (local inflammation)

18
Q

Give an example of a dissolved gas paracrine signal

A

nitric oxide (relaxes smooth muscle, dilates blood vessels)

19
Q

What is nitric oxides target enzyme and where is it produced from?

A
  • guanylate cyclase
  • produced from arg when blood vessel wall endothelial cells are stimulated by acetylcholine
20
Q

Describe the process of NO as a signal?

A
  1. binds do guanylyl cyclase, turns nucleotide GTP into cyclic GMP
  2. cyclic GMP causes smooth muscle cells to relax (increases blood flow)
  3. short lived effect, cyclic GMP quickly hydrolysed to GMP by phosphodiesterase
21
Q

State a clinical use of nitric oxide?

A
  • for angina
  • administer nitroglycerin
  • converts to NO in the body by mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2), improving blood flow to coronary arteries
22
Q

Describe neuronal signalling

A

neurotransmitters travel across synaptic gap to adjacent target cell

23
Q

Give examples of neurotransmitters

A
  • adrenaline
  • acetylcholine
  • serotonin
24
Q

Describe autocrine signalling

A

cells secrete signalling molecules that bind to their own receptors to make change in their own behaviour

25
Q

What is juxtacrine signalling

A

immediate neighbours signal to each other via membrane bound molecules

25
Q

What are the two types of juxtacrine signalling

A
  • gap junctions
  • contact dependent receptor ligand binding
26
Q

Describe gap junctions in juxtacrine signalling

A

channels form between cells allowing diffusion of small molecules such as ions, nucleotides and sugars

27
Q

How are the gap junctions formed in juxtacrine signalling?

A
  • by channels called connexons (consists of 6 protein subunits)
28
Q

What are some synthetic hormones that activate the glucocorticoid receptor?

A
  • hydrocortisone (cortisol)
  • prednisolone
  • dexamethasone
29
Q

What does GTP stand for?

A

guanosine triphosphate

30
Q

What does cGMP stand for?

A

cyclic guanosine monophosphate

31
Q

How many types of connexon subunits exist?

A

20

32
Q

How are gap junctions useful in the heart?

A

gap junctions between heart muscle cells allow waves of electrical excitation to pass
quickly through the tissue

33
Q

How are gap junctions important in child birth?

A

appear in the myometrium of the uterus towards the end of pregnancy and help coordinate uterine contractions

module 102: T3 molecular cell biology (16 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions