Goal 2 - Cell Specialization
Cell Specialization
Cells must be shaped to perform specific functions in the context of the organism.
If there was no cellular specialization, every cell in your body would be the same
Cells in your stomach are specialized to secrete mucus that protects your stomach wall from the extremely acidic stomach contents
How many different cell types are there? No one knows
Every organism begins as a single cell
Cells must be shaped to perform specific functions in the context of the organism.
If there was no cellular specialization, every cell in your body would be the same
Cells in your stomach are specialized to secrete mucus that protects your stomach wall from the extremely acidic stomach contents
How many different cell types are there? No one knows
Every organism begins as a single cell
- Every cell in your body has the same DNA and thus has the potential to be any other cell
- The design and shape of a cell is very much dictated by its function and the conditions under which it works
Cell Organization
Unicellular organisms are fairly complex cells because these organisms must depend on one cell to do everything.
Multicellular organisms exhibit much greater specialization
CELL SPECIALIZATION occurs because many forms of life have many levels of organization.
Hierarchy of Cell Organization:
Cells - make up - tissues - make up - organs - make up - organ systems
Structure of cells relates to their function
Multicellular organisms exhibit much greater specialization
- NERVE CELLS are responsible for the rapid conduction of messages throughout the body.
CELL SPECIALIZATION occurs because many forms of life have many levels of organization.
- Tissues are groups of cells that carry out a common function.
Hierarchy of Cell Organization:
Cells - make up - tissues - make up - organs - make up - organ systems
Structure of cells relates to their function
Communication among Cells
Chemical signals may be released by one cell to influence the activity of another cell.
Role of Receptor Proteins
- For example, a nerve cell can send a message to a muscle cell or to another a nerve cell.
- Due to hormones
Role of Receptor Proteins
- Receptor is a protein on the cell membrane or within the cytoplasm or cell nucleus that binds to a specific molecule, such as a neurotransmitter, hormone, or other substance, and initiates the cellular response
- Hormones
- is a chemical messenger that carries a signal from one cell (or group of cells) to another
- spread by circulatory system
- Pheromones -- spread by air/water in environment, targets in other individuals of same species
- Hormones are exceptionally potent chemicals small amounts have large effects
- Hormones circulate throughout the body, but only certain target cells are affected -- only some cells have the appropriate receptors for that hormone
- A hormone may affect different target cells differently