Developmental and Human Embryology: Cell-Cell Communication

These flashcards cover key vocabulary from the lecture on developmental and human embryology, focusing on mechanisms of morphogenesis and cell communication.

Morphogenesis

The biological process that causes an organism to develop its shape.

Cell-Cell Communication

The interactions that occur between cells to transmit signals and establish organization.

Cadherins

Calcium-dependent adhesion molecules critical for inter-cellular connections.

Differential Adhesion Hypothesis

A model explaining that cells actively sort themselves based on adhesion properties to achieve tissue organization.

Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

An insoluble network of macromolecules secreted by cells, providing structural and biochemical support.

Integrins

Receptors that mediate attachment between cells and the ECM.

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)

A process where epithelial cells transform into mesenchymal cells, important for development and healing.

Induction

The interaction at close range between cells or tissues that causes changes in behavior or fate.

Paracrine Factors

Proteins made by one cell that affect the behavior and differentiation of nearby cells.

Juxtacrine Signaling

Direct communication between adjacent cells through surface-bound molecules.

Signal Transduction Cascades

A series of biochemical reactions that transmit a signal from a receptor to cause a cellular response.

Morphogen

A diffusible biochemical molecule that determines cell fate by its concentration.

Reciprocal Induction

When a responding tissue becomes an inducer, causing changes in the original inducer's behavior.

Instructive Interaction

An interaction necessary to initiate new gene expression in a responding cell.

Competence

The ability of a cell to respond to an inductive signal.

Hedgehog Family

A family of signaling proteins important in regulating developmental processes.

FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factors)

A group of proteins that are involved in angiogenesis, wound healing and embryonic development.

TGF-β Superfamily

A large family of cytokines involved in various cellular processes including proliferation and differentiation.