Cell Adhesion Molecules (CAMs) and Surface Tension

Vocabulary flashcards covering surface tension, affinity, CAMs, calcium dependence, binding types, transmembrane proteoglycans, CAM families, and germ layer organization as discussed in the lecture notes.

Surface tension (cell adhesion)

The cohesive force at cell–cell interfaces within a tissue; determined by affinity, the number of cell adhesion molecules on the cell surface, and calcium dependence.

Affinity

The strength of the binding interaction between a cell adhesion molecule and its partner; higher affinity increases adhesion and surface tension.

Cell adhesion molecule (CAM)

Proteins that mediate cell–cell or cell–matrix adhesion; can be calcium dependent or calcium independent and belong to several families.

Calcium-dependent CAMs

CAMs that require calcium ions to maintain adhesive binding.

Calcium-independent CAMs

CAMs that mediate adhesion without the need for calcium.

Homophilic binding

Adhesion where identical CAMs on neighboring cells bind to each other.

Heterophilic binding

Adhesion where different CAMs on neighboring cells bind to each other.

Transmembrane proteoglycan

A membrane spanning proteoglycan that participates in cell adhesion through its proteoglycan chains.

Five families of CAMs

Five major classes of cell adhesion molecules that mediate cell–cell and cell–matrix adhesion (e.g., cadherins, integrins, selectins, immunoglobulin superfamily CAMs, and proteoglycan-based CAMs).

Germ layer organization (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm)

In embryogenesis, ectoderm forms the outer tissues, mesoderm the middle structures, and endoderm lines the internal organs.