Cell Communication Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from a Cell Communication lecture.

Cell Junctions

Direct cell-to-cell communication via junctions connecting the cytoplasm of adjacent cells.

Cell-Cell Recognition

Direct communication where membrane-bound cell-surface molecules interact; important for immune response.

Paracrine Signaling

Signaling where local regulators affect nearby cells by diffusing through extracellular fluid.

Synaptic Signaling

Signaling involving neurotransmitters released across a synapse to stimulate a target cell.

Endocrine Signaling

Long-distance signaling where hormones are released into the bloodstream and travel to target cells.

Reception

The process of detecting a signal molecule by a receptor.

Transduction

The process of converting a signal into a form that can elicit a cellular response.

Response

The specific cellular activity triggered by a signal.

Ligand

A molecule that binds to a receptor.

Membrane Receptors

Receptors located in the plasma membrane that bind to water-soluble ligands.

Intracellular Receptors

Receptors located in the cytoplasm or nucleus that bind to hydrophobic ligands.

G-protein-linked receptor

Plasma membrane receptor that works with the help of a G protein.

Tyrosine Kinases

Membrane receptors that attach phosphates to tyrosine residues.

Ligand-Gated Ion Channel

Membrane receptor that acts as a gate for ions when a signal molecule binds.

Protein Kinase

Enzyme that transfers phosphate groups from ATP to a protein, phosphorylating it.

Protein Phosphatases

Enzymes that remove phosphate groups from proteins, dephosphorylating them.

Second Messengers

Small, non-protein, water-soluble molecules or ions that relay signals inside the cell.

Cyclic AMP (cAMP)

A second messenger that is widely used and is converted from ATP by adenylyl cyclase.

Adenylyl Cyclase

Enzyme in the plasma membrane that converts ATP to cAMP in response to an extracellular signal.

Phosphodiesterase

Enzyme that converts cAMP to AMP, terminating the signal.

Calcium Ions (Ca2+)

A second messenger that can regulate its concentration within the cell; used in G-protein and tyrosine kinase pathways.

Inositol Triphosphate (IP3) & Diacylglycerol (DAG)

Second messengers that release Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum.

Scaffolding Proteins

Large relay proteins to which other relay proteins are attached, increasing signal transduction efficiency.