L01: Cell Communication

Question 1

What are the 3 main cell communication ways?

Answer 1

• autocrine : when a cell communicates with itself
• paracrine: when a cell communicates with a neighbouring cell
• endocrine: when a cell releases a hormone into the bloodstream to a far target

Question 2

What are the 2 types of acetycholine receptors

Answer 2

• nicotinic (achr) ion channels

- muscarinic achr

Question 3

What is an agonist of nicotinic achr ion channels

Answer 3

Nicotine

Question 4

What is an antagonist of nicotinic achr ion channel

Answer 4

Curare

Question 5

What is an agonist of muscarinic achr

Answer 5

Muscarine

Question 6

What is an antagonist of muscarinic achr

Answer 6

Atropa belladonna alkaloids

Question 7

What type of receptors are muscarinic achrs

Answer 7

G-proteins coupled receptors

Question 8

What type of receptors are nicotinic achrs

Answer 8

Ligand gated ion channel

Question 9

How does nicotinic achr open

Answer 9

Sodium binds to a binding site and the hydrophobic interactions break. Sodium therefore goes in to cause depolarisation.

Question 10

What is the dissociation constant

Answer 10

Tells the concentration of the ligand which 50% of receptors are occupied

Question 11

Where are nicotinic achrs found

Answer 11

• NMJ
• pre and post ganglions
• parasympathetic post ganglionic ganglia

Question 12

What are nicotinic effects

Answer 12

• muscle contraction ( they are found on the NMJ)

- synaptic transmission

Question 13

What are muscarinic effects

Answer 13

• bradycardia
• salivation
• bronchospasm