PHY2011 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Conformational Change, Resting Potential, Retinoid
Week 3 L3 (T3L1) -Cell Communication in Defence
Types of signalling
oElectrical -use flow of current
oChemical -use chemical agents
oBoth can occur in synaptic or non-synaptic regions, and while neurons can undergo
all four types, non-neuronal cells can only do three, as synaptic chemical signalling is
unique to neurons
Synaptic signalling
oRequire specialised structures between cells
Separated by fluid filled gap
Gap is bridged by channels (hemi channel provided by each cell)
^Gap junction – prevents leaking
oElectrical synaptic signalling
Very fast -no delay in information transfer
Activity in a group of cells well synchronised -ie in the heart/gut
Two things required for chemical signalling
oChemicals (Ligands, agonists etc)
oReceptors -to recognise chemicals
oReceptors are important, as they dictate what happens, chemicals can bind to a
variety of different receptors and have different effects
Chemicals
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