ch. 11: Cell-Cell interactions

organ system

a set of organs that interacts to carry out a major body function

organ

body structure w different tissues. Carries out a specific function.

basement membrane

glues epithelial cells to connective tissues. Made of collagen

the extracellular matrix

allows cells to stay in a particular location, maintain shape or protect themselves from aggressors

the ECM consists of

fibrous proteins (rebar) and ground substance containing proteoglycans (cement)

proteoglycans

gel-forming proteins in the ECM

intracellular

inside of cells

extracellular

outside of cells

integrins

anchor proteins that connect cytoskeleton (inside cell) to ECM proteins outside cell

tight junctions

stitch together like a little down jacket. Form watertight seal

Desmosomes

proteins that rivet two cells together

hemidesmosomes

proteins that rivet cells to the basement membrane

gap junctions

channels between two animal cells. Allows for communication and equalizing of the osmotic gradient. (can therefore repolarize in a chain "reaction")

plasmodesmata

channels between plant cells. same as a gap junction but in plants.

hormones

signal proteins. Sent out small quantities and exposed to every cell. Small quantity. Large effect.