Cellular level of organization: Cell Signaling.
Introduction:
Cells need to interact with their environment and other cells around them. This is called Cell Signaling.
Single cellular organisms need to detect nutrients in their environment, and cells in multicellular organisms are involved in a complex system of communication with each other.
Cells detect signals with Cell Receptors on their plasma membrane, which are usually Glycoproteins or Glycolipids.
The signaling molecule binds to the Receptor because its shape is complementary to it (Lock and Key).
This then initiates a chain of reaction within the cell, leading to a response.
Cell Signalling Pathways:
Cell Signalling Pathways can be classified on the basis of distance over which the signalling occurs.
Endocrine Signalling.
Paracrine Signalling.
Autocrine Signalling.
Endocrine Signalling :
It involves signalling over large distances.
Usually where the signalling molecule is transported in the circulatory system.
Hormones are often used as cell signalling molecules in multicellular organisms.
Hormones are produced in special glands called “Endocrine Glands”.
The released hormones bind to receptor sites on a Target Cell, which starts a response.
e.g. Use of Insulin to lower blood glucose levels. In response to high glucose levels, Beta-Cells in the pancreas release the hormone Insulin into the blood which causes lowering of elevated blood glucose levels.
2) Paracrine Signalling:
It occurs between cells which are close together, sometimes directly, sometimes via extracellular fluid.
Often, cells that are near one another communicate through the release of chemical messengers (ligands that can diffuse through the space between the cells).
3) Autocrine Signaling:
Autos meaning self.
It is where the cell stimulates a response within itself by releasing signals for its own Receptors.
In many cases, a signal may have both autocrine and paracrine effects.
Commonly Asked Questions.
What are different forms of cell signaling?
What is Endocrine signaling? How it works.