Week 9 SG

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to cell-cell interactions and chemical signaling in animals and plants.

Extracellular Matrix

The complex network surrounding animal cells that helps in communication and protection.

Cell Wall

The rigid outer layer surrounding plant cells that provides structure and support.

Epithelium/Epithelia

Layers of cells that form the protective covering of all internal and external surfaces of the body.

Tight Junctions

Connections between cells that create a barrier to prevent leakage of materials.

Desmosomes

Anchoring junctions that hold adjacent cells together in animal tissues.

Gap Junctions

Specialized intercellular connections that allow for direct communication between adjacent cells.

Plasmodesmata

Channels that connect plant cells, allowing for the movement of substances and communication.

Signaling Molecules

Compounds that transmit information between cells, classified as either lipid soluble or lipid insoluble.

Hormones

Chemical messengers released into the bloodstream that regulate physiological and biochemical processes.

Signal Transduction

The process by which a signal is converted into a functional cellular response.

Phosphorylation Cascade

A series of chemical reactions during signal transduction where a protein is phosphorylated, leading to a cellular response.

Autocrine Signaling

A type of cell signaling where a cell targets itself.

Paracrine Signaling

Cell signaling where a cell targets nearby cells.

Endocrine Signaling

Long-distance signaling in the body, where hormones are released into the bloodstream to communicate with distant cells.

Oncogene

A gene that has the potential to cause cancer when mutated or expressed at high levels.

Tumor Suppressor

A gene that inhibits cell division or survival, loss of function can lead to cancer.