Module 4 Flashcards
Extracellular communication
signal is received from the outside of the cell
intracellular communication
( cell will collect info, synthesize the info and make decision) external communication will cause internal changes
direct cell to cell communication can be described as
Gap junctions
what are gap junctions?
made up of connexons that dock together to form channels from one cell to another, chemicals can move directly between cells
what can pass through gap junctions ?
small particles such as ions and signalling molecules - they are highly regulated and can open the door when needed ( thought to be a self defence mechanism )
how do cells communicate with each other when they arent touching ?
they will communicate through secretions where there are 4 types of secretions that can be distinguished by the type of cell or the location of the cell recieving the signal
autocrine secretions
released by a cell and have the same effects on a cell
paracrine secretions
released by cell and have effect on nearby cells
endocrine secretions
released by cell and will have effect on distant cell
neurotransmitters
released by the nerve terminal into the synapse
what is a lysosome?
organelles that break down misfolded and damaged organelles, nucleic acids, lipids etc
what is proteosomes ?
protein complexes that break down dmaged and misfolded proteins in the nucleus and cytosol
what are peroxisomes
take care of dangerous free radicals including ROCS, ALSO involved in the decomposing long chains of fatty acids, and cargo like uric acid
How will cargo get to the lysosome ?
-misfolded proteins and cellular content will tagged for the lysosome
-cargo is delivered to the lysosome via the endomembrane system
-M6P sugar tag on the cargo will send it to the lysosome along with proteases( same sugar tag)
-Vesicles will fuse with the lysosome where its contents will be emptied and digested by the proteases
What do lysosomes contain ?
high concentrations of proteases which are capable of cleaving membrane proteins and proteins in the lysosome
- also contain enzymes that are able to digest sugars and fats and can engulf damaged organelles –> will break down large molecules into basic parts that will be recylced back to the cytosol to be reused
what happens to the cytosolic proteins in the proteasome ?
will be tagged with a polyubiquitin chain which has multiple molecules of ubiquitin which is needed for the proteosome to recognize and degrade the proteins
explain nuclear proteins with proteasomes?
proteasomes can also be found in the nucleus which allows them to degrade nuclear proteins ( not export to cytosol )
describe peroxisomes
small organelles which contain enzymes that catalyze reactions . Specifically they are the place where Reactive oxygen species can be dealt with safely
what are the proteins in the peroxisomes called ?
peroxins which are synthesized in the cytosol and use targeting signals( PTS) to make there way to the peroxisome
what is apoptosis ?
known as programmed cell death, where it is used as form of protection for the body against cells that no longer function properly
what are the 4 steps in apoptosis ?
- initiation
- membrane blebbing and enzyme activation
- cell structure changes
- engulfment
how is apoptosis initiated ?
can be started from both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways,
intrinsic pathway of apoptosis ?
starts from outer membrane of mitochondria, and the pathway will get activated when there is severe DNA damage or ROS or toxins or trauma
extrinsic pathway in apoptosis ?
starts from external signals , begins at the plasma membrane receptor known as the death receptor in which neighbouring cells will release death ligands that will bind to receptor and start process
what is membrane blebbing ? and which enzymes are activated ?
when the cell begins to form protrusions or shrinks and is the first sign of apoptosis . Caspases enzymes are activated by both pathways and will cleave and activate more caspases called executioner capsases
what are the structural changes seen in the cell ?
executioner caspases will cause DNA to become fragmented and nuclear membrane will break down , the cytoskeleton will disassemble and the phospholipid content in the plasma membrane changes , organelles will persist and will be enclosed in apoptotic bodies
what happens in engulfment ?
phagocytes will endocytose the apoptotic bodies to dispose of them which are then safely digested by lysosomes of the phagocytes creating minimal disturbance in the cell
what is necrosis and when does it happen?
takes place from cellular injury in which the cell will try and repair itself - it is the pathway of cell death when a cell is beyond repair and the organelles dont function so the cell dies