Cell signalling

Why this matters

Salivary cells, oral keratinocytes, nerves, immune cells and developing dental tissues all respond to chemical information. Understanding receptors and signal networks explains how one extracellular cue can alter secretion, movement or gene expression.

You will be able to

1. 1.Define ligand, receptor and target-cell response.
2. 2.Explain GPCR activation and inactivation.
3. 3.Compare enzyme-linked and intracellular receptors.
4. 4.Track major second-messenger pathways.
5. 5.Explain phosphorylation and amplification.
6. 6.Predict effects of feedback and pathway failure.

The 12 cards in this lesson

1. 01Cell signalling converts information into a controlled response
2. 02Receptor location follows ligand chemistry and signalling task
3. 03Three receptor locations, one information problem
4. 04GPCRs activate heterotrimeric G-protein switches
5. 05Enzyme-linked receptors couple ligand binding to catalysis
6. 06Intracellular receptors link lipid-soluble ligands to genes
7. 07Second messengers broadcast information inside the cell
8. 08Phosphorylation is a reversible molecular control language
9. 09Amplification increases sensitivity; integration preserves context
10. 10Feedback and off-switches shape signal strength and duration
11. 11A salivary acinar cell integrates two GPCR pathways
12. 12Cell signalling across dental biology

You have got it when

You are ready to continue when you can identify the receptor class, name the first intracellular relay, predict the second messenger or phosphorylation event and explain how the pathway is switched off.