intercellular signalling Flashcards
Why do cells need to communicate?
cells need to be able to coordinate their behaviour
What are the types of molecules used as intercellular signals?
- proteins
- peptides
- small chemicals
- dissolved gases
What is the signalling molecule that binds to a receptor called?
a ligand
What conditions are necessary for a cell to respond to a signal?
- ligand must be present
- responding cell must have corresponding receptor
- receptor must be correctly coupled to intracellular signalling pathway
What are the 3 main categories of membrane receptors?
- receptors linked to ion channels
- G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs)
- receptors linked to enzymes
Which signal molecules can cross the cell membrane and bind directly to receptors inside?
- dissolved gas (e.g nitric oxide)
- hydrophobic molecules (e.g steroid hormone cortisol)
Where does adrenaline cause different reactions?
- contraction of smooth muscle cells in blood vessels supplying the gut
- relaxation of smooth muscle cells in blood vessels supplying skeletal muscles
How can adrenaline cause two different reactions?
- different adrenergic receptors
- alpha = contraction
- beta = relaxation
What are the types of signals?
- endocrine
- paracrine
- neuronal
- autocrine
- juxtacrine
Which signal is long range (meters)?
endocrine signals
Which signals are short range (micrometers)?
- paracrine
- neuronal
- autocrine
- juxtacrine
What is a cortisol and where is it released from?
- steroid hormone
- released by adrenal gland on kidneys
How does the stress response work?
- glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activates and suppresses gene expression
Give examples of endocrine signalling
- stress response
- insulin/glucagon
How do paracrine signals work?
signalling molecules released from one cell and diffuse locally to neighbouring cells