Cell+Communication

Your body is composed of literally billions of cells. You don't think about them; they go about their work silently, communicating with each other without making a sound.

Imagine that all the cells of your body are part of a community. All are equally important but they have different jobs, different locations, even different shapes and sizes. In order for the community to operate smoothly, all the members must be able to react individually to their surroundings and they must be able to communicate with each other.

**Activity One**
 * Describe a community.
 * Explain why all members of a community do not all perform the same function. (For example, why can't everyone in the world be a doctor or a firefighter or a teacher?)
 * How is communication important within a community?
 * What are some of the reasons that cells might communicate with each other?
 * How do you think cells communicate with one another? (For example, how do the cells in your brain communicate with the cells in your stomach?)
 * Describe what might happen if communication between certain cells failed.

Cells of all types are capable of communicating with each other through two main networks: the neural network (nerve cells) and the endocrine (hormonal) system. Most of the time, cells communicate with amazing accuracy. However, once in a while, the system fails. In order to better understand the importance of effective cell-to-cell communication, you will examine various diseases in which faulty cell communication negatively impacts the entire community of cells and, in effect, normal total body functioning. Instances of such diseases include diabetes, hypo- and hyperthyroidism, multiple sclerosis, and cancer.

While these diseases -- many of them, at least -- are directly related to genetic mutations, they also have an environmental link. Drugs, such as marijuana, opiates, and caffeine, can mimic or block certain hormones and neurotransmitters, thereby altering body functioning. By studying the effects of both genetic and non-genetic (environmental) factors on hormone and nerve signaling, you will discover the importance of cell-to-cell communication. or ? Hormones generally act slowly and are produced in small amounts, often in bursts, influenced by factors in both the environment and within the body. Each hormone has different effects on different tissues, organs, and behaviors and, in general, affects metabolic processes, including the build-up and breakdown of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. Each hormone has a specific function: that is, hormones can affect only the specific cells that have receptors that recognize that hormone. Neural communication sends rapid messages across a chain of nerve cells. Neural communication is subject more to voluntary control than hormonal communication. Both neurons and endocrine glands produce their transmitters or hormones and store them for later release. Neurons are stimulated to produce an action potential that causes the release of transmitters into the synapse; endocrine glands are stimulated to secrete hormones into the bloodstream.

**Activity Two**



Read the first three paragraphs in[| this article], including the introduction.

This [|video] might present some interesting information.

Then read [|this article] about cell-to-cell communication. The presumed role of the mitochondria in powering the communication between nerve cells is re-examined.

Can you see that the communication between cells is vital to human health?

**Activity Three**

Your teacher will hand out a worksheet packet that is entitled **Factors That Disrupt Cell Communication**. (This packet includes [|Diseases of Faulty Cell Communication] student sheet and  [|Factors That Disrupt Cell Communication] student sheet. ) You will find web links throughout the worksheet; f ollow the links to answer the questions. **This is an individual activity.**

**Activity Four** Your teacher will distribute copies of **Researching Cell Communication**. The class will work in pairs to research cell communication. Your team may choose to research a **disease** in which normal cellular communication is disrupted or you may choose to research a **drug** that disrupts cell-to-cell communication. The final presentation will be a PowerPoint which must include, but is not limited to: Websites are included on the student worksheet. You are, of course, not limited to these: you have the cyberworld at your fingertips! **Due date: Friday, September 18**
 * the name of disease or drug researched
 * description of disease or drug
 * symptoms associated with disease or drug
 * the number of people in the US (and the world if statistics are available) who are affected by this disease or drug
 * exactly how the disease or drug disrupts normal cell communication (by all means, use pictures and diagrams to enhance your explanation)
 * treatments, both long- and short-term
 * potential for a cure, if applicable

View the [|rubric] for this project. (This is a 60-point project).