Lecture 1: Cell communication Flashcards

Understand the conceptual basis of cell communication ● Understand what a signal can be ● Understand how cells can respond to signalling ● Understand how a signal is regulated and why this is important.

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1
Q

Learning Objectives

A

● Conceptual basis of cell communication

● What a signal can be

● How cells can respond to signalling

● How a signal is regulated

● Why signal regulation is important

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2
Q

List the common types of signals

A

● Endocrine
●Paracrine
● Contact Dependent
● Synaptic

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2
Q

What are some details of the ‘Conceptual basis of communication’?

(what communication is used for, basic characteristics of a communication)

A

● Communication is needed for development and homeostasis

● Speed, Duration, Mechanism

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3
Q

Explain contact-dependent signalling

A

● Cells are in direct contact with each other
● Signal leaves signalling cell and is received by receptors on membrane of target cell

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4
Q

Explain synaptic signalling (nature, target cells and example)

A

Nature - Neurotransmitter transmitted across synapses
Target cells - e.g. neurons or muscles

example - communication between neurons in the nervous system

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5
Q

Explain paracrine signalling

A

● allows cells to communicate with each other by releasing signalling molecules/local mediator that bind to and activate surrounding cells.
● The cells which receive the signal are not always directly adjacent to the signalling cell

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6
Q

Explain endocrine signalling.
Provide an example, explain how it acts and what general response it has

A

● When hormones are released into the bloodstream by endocrine glands

● Adrenaline (mostly produced by adrenal glands) -> acts via adrenergic receptors - > produces physiological effects associated with fight or flight

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7
Q

Reading material on signalling.

What is the difference between a qualitative and a quantitative response to a signal?

A

● The strength or concentration of the signalling molecule determines the extent of a cell’s response

● Quantitative response to a signal
● Qualitatively different response to a signal

Quantitative - Involves measuring the strength or concentration of the signal and what outcome this has for the cell

Qualitative - Focus on the nature and diversity of cellular outcomes

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7
Q

What is a morphogen?

What happens in a morphogen gradient in relation to how cells respond to signalling?

A

Morphogen - A molecule that emanates from a specific set of cells that is present in a concentration gradient and that specifies the fate of each cell along this gradient

In a morphogen gradient, cellular responses occur at specific thresholds along the conc gradient

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8
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8
Q

How can cells respond to a signal?
3 points. Mention the speeds.

A

● By changing the structure of an existing protein e.g. ion channel (very fast)

● By changing the post translational modifications e.g. phosphorylation (fast)

● Changing protein levels through gene expression (Slower)

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8
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