Questions and Answers
What is contact-dependent signaling?
What is the first step in retina formation?
Unspecified epithelial cells race to make differentiating molecules first
What happens in the second step of retina formation?
The 'winner' expresses signaling molecule Delta on its surface and neighboring cells have NOTCH.
What is the third step in retina formation?
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What does the fourth step in retina formation trigger?
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What is lateral inhibition?
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Study Notes
Contact-Dependent Signaling
- Requires direct cell-to-cell contact for communication through receptors and signaling molecules.
- Example analogy: Determining roles in a band, such as who becomes the lead singer versus backup singers.
Steps in Retina Formation
- First Step: Unspecified epithelial cells compete to produce differentiating molecules, initiating retina development.
- Second Step: The "winning" cell expresses the signaling molecule Delta on its surface; surrounding cells possess NOTCH receptors.
- Third Step: Delta from the winning cell binds to NOTCH on neighboring cells, facilitating direct communication; both Delta and NOTCH are membrane-bound proteins.
- Fourth Step: This interaction activates signaling pathways in neighboring cells, preventing them from adopting the same developmental fate.
Lateral Inhibition
- A process where a cell’s fate influences adjacent cells, inhibiting them from following the same developmental pathway.
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Description
Explore the mechanisms of contact-dependent signaling in cellular communication. This quiz covers key concepts such as the steps involved in retina formation and the role of specific signaling molecules. Perfect for students and enthusiasts of cellular biology.
