Studied by 3 people
Cell Communication
Essential for cell function and survival.
Direct Contact
Communication through cell junctions between adjacent cells.
Gap Junctions
Animal cell structures allowing direct communication.
Plasmodesmata
Plant cell structures facilitating direct contact.
Local Regulators
Chemical messages released for nearby cell signaling.
Paracrine Signaling
Local regulators act on adjacent cells.
Synaptic Signaling
Neurons release neurotransmitters across synaptic cleft.
Long-Distance Signaling
Hormones travel through circulatory or vascular systems.
Endocrine Signaling
Hormones released into blood for distant effects.
Insulin
Hormone regulating glucose, released by pancreas.
Cell Signaling Stages
Includes reception, transduction, and response.
Reception
Ligand binds to receptor in target cell.
Transduction
Extracellular signal converted to intracellular signal.
Response
Cellular process altered by final signaling molecule.
Receptor
Macromolecule binding to signal molecules.
G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs)
Largest category of cell surface receptors.
Ligand-Gated Ion Channels
Receptors that open/close to regulate ion flow.
Second Messengers
Small molecules amplifying the signal inside cells.
Cyclic AMP (cAMP)
Common second messenger in signaling pathways.
Phosphorylation
Addition of phosphate group to regulate proteins.
Dephosphorylation
Removal of phosphate group, shutting off pathways.
Signal Transduction Pathway
Sequence of molecular events relaying signals.
Mutations in Signaling Pathways
Altered transduction due to receptor protein changes.
Nervous System Signaling
Involves synaptic signaling and neurotransmitter release.
Cellular Response Examples
Altered permeability, metabolic changes, gene regulation.
Target Cell
Cell that responds to signaling molecules.
Extracellular Fluid
Fluid outside cells where local regulators travel.
Antigen Presenting Cells (APCs)
Immune cells communicating via direct contact.
Note 
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