UNSW Cell Biology

Medicine: Beginnings, Growth and Development: Cell Communication

Introduction

This is about cells communicate (talking/interacting/signal) with each other and their surroundings either as neighbours, in the same tissue or at a distance. There are many different types and reasons for signaling to occur between cell/cell or cell/extracellular matrix or cell/environment.

Communication also changes with age, some signals are critical to normal embryonic development, growth, puberty changes and in the adult.

These notes do not cover all of these mechanisms but give examples of different types of communication.

Student Guide

Brief Study (1-15 minutes)

Start by looking at the online textbooks. These links will give you an introduction to cell communication and some images of the process.

Detailed Study (15-30 minutes)

Next- more detailed online resources introduce key initiators, proteins and pathways of cell communication. Includes a link to a complete set of lecture slides on signaling.

In Depth (+30 minutes)

Then- look at the signaling pathways that mediate cell communication.

Includes links to review articles and animations.

Links

Search NLM Online Textbooks- "Communication"

Molecular Biology of the Cell

Molecular Cell Biology

The Cell- A molecular Approach

Related Topics

cell junctions, extracellular matrix, adhesion junctions, membranes, signaling, hormones, receptors, ligands