BIOL2000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Connexin, Lysine, Stratified Squamous Epithelium
Document Summary
Animal cells secrete an extracellular matrix (ecm: gelatinous polysaccharide (ground substance) + network of protein fibers. The composition of ecm varies with cell type, correlating with cell function: ex: lung cells secrete large amount of the extracellular protein elastin for elasticity. Throughout their lives, cells secrete, assemble and remodel the ecm: the basement membrane, connective tissue (interstitial matrix) There are two main forms of ecm. Plays a role in cell migration and cell:cell communication. Forms protein-protein attachments that link ecm directly to cell"s cytoskeleton. Cancer cells are malignant because they break their cell:cell interactions and migrate. Small intestine is the major site where food is broken down and foodstuffs are absorbed. Part of the small intestine is to vortex what was eaten so that macromolecules can be broken down, which means that the cells undergo significant forces (compression forces). Types of forces: tension, compression, tortional forces (twisting, shearing multiple isoforms.
