Grade Level 12 - Guided Notes
Grade Level 12 - Guided Notes
Introduction
- Cells are not just building blocks; they can and to their environment.
- Cells communicate through signaling molecules.
Forms of Signaling
- There are four basic categories of chemical signaling:
1. signaling
2. signaling
3. signaling
4. Signaling by
Paracrine Signaling
- Cells near each other communicate through messengers.
- This type of signaling allows local coordination of activities.
- Example: Important during development.
Synaptic Signaling
- A unique example of paracrine signaling involving cells.
- An electrical impulse travels down the and triggers the release of
called neurotransmitters.
- Neurotransmitters bind to receptors on the receiving cell, causing a change.
Autocrine Signaling
- In autocrine signaling, a cell signals to .
- This type of signaling is important during and in (e.g., cancer).
Endocrine Signaling
- Endocrine signaling involves long-distance communication using the system.
- Signals produced by specialized cells are released into the bloodstream and are
known as
.
- Example: The pituitary gland releases (GH) which affects various
cell types.
Summary
- Cell signaling is essential for coordinating activities in multicellular organisms.
- Different types of signaling (paracrine, autocrine, endocrine, and direct
contact) allow cells to communicate over varying distances.
- Understanding cell signaling is crucial for insights into processes like and
.