Unit 2: Cells and Signalling Flashcards
Phospholipid bilayer is composed of…
Polar phosphate heads which are hydrophilic and point outwards
Hydrophobic fatty acid tails which line up on inside of the bilayer making it almost impossible for polar molecules like ions to cross
Functions of plasma cell membrane
- Physical barrier between outside and inside of cell– preserves cell status as individual unit
- Controls movement of materials into cell and secretion of materials out of cells without breaching barrier
- Communicates with the world outside of the cell. Receptors on membrane can bind with specific chemical messengers to change activity in cell.
- Makes physical connections with other cells
Function of the ribosomes
Site of proteinsysnthesis where mRNA is translated to protein
Free ribosomes manufactures proteins destined for the cytosol
Fixed ribosomes on RER manufactures proteins destined for secretion outside the cell.
Structure of endoplasmic reticulum
- Network of membranes
- Made of series of tubes and chambers aka cisternae
- Directly connected to membrane surrounding nucleus
Structure of ribosomes
Small organelles
70S or 80S
Small and large subunit
Function of endoplasmic reticulum
- Responsible for synthesis and storage of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids,, transport of molecules,, and detoxification of dangerous material.
Structure of the nucleus
- Double membrane known as nuclear envelope
- Chromatin enclosed within
- Nuclear pores
- Nucleolus
Eukaryotic cells contain…
A membrane bound nucleus and membrane bound organelles
Function of golgi apparatus
- Modifies and packages cellular material for:
–> Release outside of cell (exocytosis)
–> Use in maintainence of cell membrane
–> Incorporation of enzymes into lysosomes for use within the cell
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and their consequences? Examples of nerve agents
Novichok, Sarin, VX
Continued presence of acetylcholine in synaptic cleft desensitises receptors, acetylcholine signalling no longer functions
Causes various neurological symptoms and can be fatal due to respiratory paralysis
Intrinsic efficacy
Ability of an agonist, having bound to a receptor, to intiate a cellular response by ensuring the coupling of the agonist-receptor complex with the transduction system (G protein//ion channel)
Drug must bind and cause response to be an agonist
kinases
Enzymes which catalyse the transfer of phosphate groups from a donor molecule (ATP) to a specific target molecule (phsophorylation reaction)
Different classifications of neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine
Biogenic Amines- dopamine, epinephrine, serotonin
Amino acids- GABA, glutamate
Neuropeptides- vasopressin
Purines- ATP
Gases and lipids- nitric oxide
Depolarisation
Na+ flow into cell down chemical//electrical gradient
Until it reaches 30mV when the Na+ channels close
What are paracrine factors and give 2 examples?
Released from cells
Have local (nearby) site of action
E.g., neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, lipid mediators
What causes hallucinations and delusions seen in Sz? What antipsychotic medication has been used in the past and what causes its adverse effects? What do newer antipsychotics target
Excessive dopamine signalling
Antipsychotic medication= haloperidol= antagonist of D2 receptors, reduce dopaminergic signalling in mesolimbic pathway
Antagonism of dopamine receptors in other pathways causes adverse effects.
NEWER ANTIPSYCHOTICS (olanzapine) TARGET D2 receptors and other receptors
How is acetylcholine used in neuromuscular junction?
Neurones which supply muscles release acetylcholine
Acetylcholine receptors on muscles detect NT, muscle contracts.
Agonist
Drug/Chemical that binds to receptor, mimics the action of the endogenous ligand and initiates cellular response
stages of interphase
G0
G1
S phase
G2 phase
Local potential
Change in membrane potential is limited to the area of the membrane around open ion channels
Once ion channel closes after very brief opening membrane will return to RMP
Dendrites
Recieve inputs from other neurons
Non-competitive antagonism
Binds to allosteric site- causes conformational change in receptor- prevents binding of agonist OR blocks a step downstream in sequence of events leading from receptor activation to cellular effect.
EPSP
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential
Ligand-gated sodium channels increase local membrane potential
Made postsynaptic membrane more positive, more ‘excitable’, closer to threshold so action potential more likely to occur.
Types of agonism
Full, partial and inverse
Explain the significance of Ca2+ in cells
Responsible for initiating muscle contraction, secretion, release of neurotransmitters, and others.
Cytoplasmic Ca2+ levels are very carefully regulated so the biological effects are controlled: if Ca2+ levels RISE TOO HIGH this can lead to cell death.
Function of RER
Recieves newly manufactured protein chains from ribosomes
Modification of proteins into glycoproteins
Packaging of proteins/glycoproteins into transport vesicles to be sent to Golgi apparatus
Types of antagonism
Competitive, non competitive, physiological, chemical, pharmacokinetic
Repolarisation
Voltage-gated K+ channels open allowing K+ to flow out of the cell down its chemical/electrical gradient
Repolarises membrane, bringing membrane potential back towards equillibrium potential -80mV
4 major dopaminergic pathways in brain
Mesolimbic pathway
Mesocortical pathway
Nigrostriatal pathway
Tubero-infundibular pathway
How do ionotropic receptors work?
Part of ligand-gated ion channel protein
Activation results in conformational change in channel protein, allowing specific ions (Na+, Cl-, K+) to pass through by FD
Result in very fast transmission that occurs in miliseconds
E.g receptors for neurotransmitters like GABA, glutamate, acetylcholine
Structure of mitochondria
- Outer membrane surrounds the entire grain-shaped molecule
- Highly folded second inner membrane
- Folds are called cristae
- Contains mitochondrial matrix
What do old and new treatments of CF focus on?
Old- focus on clearing mucus from lungs and dealing with associated infections
New- target CFTR protein to fix fault caused by the mutation (only work for certain genotypes- the patients case of CF has to have been caused by a specific mutation )
Increasing GABA activity will…
cause sedative effects, and can be used in treatment of anxiety, insomnia or as anaesthetics
What is G1 phase and how long does it last?
8-12hrs at high speed OR several weeks in cells continuing normal operations
Cell increases it count of cytoskeletal filaments, ribosomes, ER, golgi, mitochondria and cytosol so there is enough for 2 cells
Manufacture of new centrioles begins
Which steps can be targeted by drugs to alter synaptic transmission?
- Synthesis
> stops chemical reactions creating neurotransmitters
> increase or decrease availability of its precursor - Storage
> block neurotramsitters from entering/leaving vesicles
> empty neurotransmitters from vesicles - Release
> block Ca2+ channels on preS terminals - Activation of receptors
> bind to receptors in place of neurotransmitters
> interact with preS receptors that control NT release - Inactivation/Reuptake
> inhibit enzymes that breakdown NT
> prevent NT from returning to preS neuron in reuptake
When do voltage-gated sodium channels open?
When the membrane reaches -55mV
What is G2 phase and how long does it last?
2-5 hrs
Remaining proteinsynthesis completed
New centrioles completed
Structure of cytoskeleton
- Made of variety of proteins e.g. actin and tubulin
- Also may have extracellular structures built around the core e.g. flagella and cilia
Axon
Carries info in form of electrical signals//action potential
Axon meets cell body at axon hillock
Ligand
Anything that binds to a larger molecule
Mesolimbic pathway
neurones project from ventral tegmental area to ventral striatum
Equillibrium potential for sodium
+60mV
Antagonist
Drug/Chemical that blocks action of endogenous ligand, therefore blocks normal cellular response, inhibiting action of agonist
Tolerance
Where responsiveness diminishes more slowly than with tachyphylaxis. Larger doses required for same response
What are autocrine factors and give 2 examples?
Released from cells
Act on the same cells
E.g., hormones, lipid mediators and neurotransmitters
When do hormones become inactive?
When it diffuses out of the bloodstream and binds to receptors on target cells
Absorbed/broken down by cells of liver/kidney
Broken down by enzymes in plasma/interstitial fluid
Pharmacokinetic antagonism
Where one drug affects absorption/distribution/metabolism/excretion of another
Treatment for Parkinsons Disease and how it works
Parkinsons diseases causes the loss of dopaminergic neurones
L-DOPA is the reatment
It is a substrate for production of dopamine
More dopamine available for remaining neurones reducing symptoms