MIDTERM Week 1: Cell Signaling

Question 1

List the three primary means of cellular communication

Answer 1

Contact signaling by plasma membrane bound receptors

Remote signaling by secreted molecules

Contact signaling via gap junctions

Question 2

Describe contact-dependent signaling

Answer 2

cells are in close membrane-membrane contact

Question 3

Describe Paracrine signaling

Answer 3

cells secrete local chemical mediators

Question 4

autocrine signaling

Answer 4

a type of paracrine signaling in which the secreting cell targets itself
ex. cancer cells can use this form of signaling to stimulate their proliferation

Question 5

hormonal signaling

Answer 5

endocrine cells secrete chemicals called hormones that travel through the blood stream to produce a response in other cells

Question 6

neurohormonal signaling

Answer 6

neurosecretory neurons release blood borne messengers

Question 7

neurotransmitters

Answer 7

neurons communicate directly with the cells they innervate