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Cell communication
The process by which cells communicate with each other.
Intracellular signaling
Cell communication that occurs within the cell.
Intercellular signaling
Communication that exists between cells.
Ligand
Small, usually volatile or soluble molecules; chemical signals released by signaling cells that bind to specific molecules.
Target cells
Cells that are affected by chemical signals and have receptors that interact with ligands.
Receptors
Proteins in target cells that bind with extracellular ligands and communicate with the sending cell.
Paracrine signaling
Occurs when a ligand diffuses in a small area and only acts on neighboring cells.
Endocrine signaling
Involves hormones carried throughout the organism's body via the vascular system to act on cells over a long distance.
Autocrine signaling
Occurs when a ligand acts on the same cell that releases it.
Direct signaling
Involves communication between cells that are in direct contact with each other.
Internal receptor
Intracellular or cytoplasmic receptors found in the cytoplasm of the cell that respond to hydrophobic ligand molecules.
Cell-Surface receptor
Transmembrane receptors embedded into the plasma membrane that maintain communication between internal processes and extracellular signals.
Ion channel-linked receptor
Responsible for regulating the transduction of chemical signals across the cell membrane in response to chemical messenger binding.
G-protein-linked receptors
The largest cell surface receptors composed of 7 transmembrane proteins responsible for activating membrane-bound G-proteins.
Downstream mechanism of ion channel-linked receptors
When a ligand binds, the receptor undergoes conformational changes, opening a channel for specific ions to pass through.
Downstream mechanism of G-protein-linked receptors
Involves the exchange of GDP for GTP on the α subunit, triggering a cellular response.
Gap junctions
Structures that allow direct communication between animal cells.
Plasmodesmata
Structures that allow direct communication between plant cells.
Neural signals
A specialized subset of paracrine signals that diffuse a very short distance within the synaptic cleft between adjacent neurons.
Vasopressin
A hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that acts on kidneys and blood vessels.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor
A cardioprotective autocrine agent involved in autocrine signaling.
Hydrophobic ligand molecules
Ligands that can travel across the plasma membrane and bind to internal receptors.
Fluid-filled channels
Channels that allow small signaling molecules to diffuse between two cells in direct signaling.
Heterotrimeric G-proteins
G-proteins composed of three subunits: α, β, and γ, involved in G-protein-linked receptor signaling.
GDP and GTP
Nucleotides involved in the activation and deactivation of G-proteins during signaling.
Cell-specific proteins
Proteins or markers that are specific to individual cell types, often found in cell-surface receptors.
Transmembrane domain
The part of a cell-surface receptor that spans the plasma membrane.
Extracellular domain
The part of a cell-surface receptor that interacts with ligands outside the cell.
Intracellular domain
The part of a cell-surface receptor that interacts with intracellular signaling pathways.
Cell-Surface Receptor
Receptor with extracellular binding site for ligands.
Enzyme-Linked Receptor
Receptor that acts as an enzyme or associates with enzymes.
Catalytic Receptors
Receptors that catalyze reactions upon ligand binding.
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases
Enzyme-linked receptors that phosphorylate tyrosine residues.
Signaling Molecules
Transmit information between cells for coordination.
Small Hydrophobic Ligands
Lipid-soluble ligands that diffuse through membranes.
Steroid Hormones
Lipid molecules with four fused hydrocarbon rings.
Water-Soluble Ligands
Polar ligands that cannot pass plasma membranes.
Nitric Oxide
Intracellular ligand regulating blood pressure.
Cyclic GMP (cGMP)
Molecule activated by nitric oxide for muscle relaxation.
Signal Transduction
Process of transferring signals throughout an organism.
Phosphorylation
Addition of phosphate groups activating proteins.
Phosphorylation Cascade
Chain reaction of protein phosphorylation events.
Second Messenger
Small molecules relaying signals inside cells.
Calcium Ions
Ions acting as second messengers in signaling.
Cyclic AMP (cAMP)
Second messenger involved in various signaling pathways.
Gene Expression
Process by which genes direct protein synthesis.
Cell Growth
Increase in cell size and number.
Apoptosis
Programmed cell death to remove dangerous cells.
Signal Amplification
Process where one signal activates multiple downstream effects.
Quorum Sensing
Bacteria's ability to monitor population density.
Autoinducer
Bacterial hormone for quorum sensing communication.
Mating Factor
Signaling molecule used by yeast for mating.
Phosphatases
Enzymes that remove phosphate groups from proteins.
Termination of Signal Cascade
Process ensuring signals are stopped appropriately.
Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)
Growth factor that stimulates cell growth and division.
G-Protein
Molecule that transmits signals from receptors.
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK)
Kinase involved in cell signaling pathways.
