Module 8: Cell-cell Interaction

Question 1

What is the significance of cell adhesion? (1)

Answer 1

Allows cells to carry out necessary processes, including cell interactions with other cells and their environment.

Question 2

What does cell development from a single fertilized egg require? (3)

Answer 2

1. Reiterated mitotic divisions.
2. Cell differentiation that leads to tissue-specific patterns of gene expression.
3. Cell-cell signaling.

Question 3

What are the three developmental germ layers the inner mass of embryonic cells that forms the early embryo? (3)

Answer 3

Endoderm, ectoderm, mesoderm.

Question 4

What happens when cells from different developmental layers are mixed together? (1) Why? (2)
After this, what do these cells form? (1) What is the significance of this? (2)

Answer 4

They tend to congregate with like cells and reform the layers; by a collection of transmembrane proteins called cell adhesion molecules (CAMs).
Specialized cell junctions; stabilize cell-cell interactions and facilitate cell-nearby cell communication.