DO NOW: Telephone Can the message get around the room unchanged??

Objective: To explain how cells communicate with each other Cell Communication Objective: To explain how cells communicate with each other

Why do cells need to communicate? Cells in multicellular organisms depend on one another for survival These cells must coordinate their activities by sharing information Unicellular organisms need to communicate, too Ex. Finding a mate

Cells communicate by sending signals Chemicals can act as signals: Hormones Neurotransmittors (sent by nerve cells) Environmental signals: Light

When a signal reaches its destination…. It binds to a receptor protein on the cell membrane (Binding site- Specific)

Once binding occurs, the cell responds (by changing shape): May open pores to let needed materials in (Permeability change) May cause a chemical reaction to occur in the cell (Enzyme activation) May create a 2nd signal to cause DNA to activate (Second messenger)

EXAMPLE: When blood glucose is too high, cells in the pancreas release insulin into blood As insulin comes in contact with cells, it causes the body cells to absorb more glucose