BI110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 18: Integral Membrane Protein, Cell Adhesion Molecule, Signal Transduction
Document Summary
Always involves cell membranes in some way. Different cell types produce different receptors, which are responsible for responding to specific signals. When a signal binds and is recognized by a receptor, it leads to a variety of cellular responses depending on the cell and how it responds. Changes in gene expression leads to changes in protein synthesis: either the cell produces more of a protein or stops producing a protein because of this. Cells communicate through: direct channels of communication. Gap junctions (spread of electrical signals between cells in cardiac muscles in humans, plasmodesmata in plants): specific contact between cells. Cell adhesion molecules: integral membrane proteins that bind cells to one another or to the extracellular matrix: intercellular chemical messengers. Cells can also respond to other external signals not produced by other cells: molecules in the environment. A vast majority of drugs target signalling pathways by stimulating or inhibiting pathways.
