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Ch. 7 Cell Communication

Signaling between cells (See pg. 129)

1. Direct contact in early development of organism.

2. Paracrine signaling: enzymes have local, short-lived effect. Has important role in early development of organism.

3. Endocrine signaling: hormones distribute information through an extracellular fluid (like blood) to signal distant cells.

4. Synaptic signaling: neurons produce chemicals (neurotransmitters) at synapse (gap between neurons).

5. Cell surface markers (glycolipids/glycoproteins): "self" markers identify non-self cells.


Intracellular (Internal-inside the cell) signaling

1. Enzymes

2. Gene transcription


Mechanisms of signaling

1. Surface receptors: molecules bind to receptor proteins on cell surface

2. Gated ion channels: ion channel opens or closes when neurotransmitter bind to gate

3. Enzyme receptors: signal molecule binds outside cell activating enzyme in cytoplasm

See chapter summary (pg. 143)


Long & Slichter