The Internal Process of Cell Communication

In the study of anatomy and physiology my interest has been drawn to the basic life form which is the cell. During this course, I have gained more interest in how cells function which spurred my interest to review how communication takes place inside cells. This paper reviews the internal processes of cell communication including how signals are sent into cells and the various stages and elements involved in this process.

Cells will communicate with each other through the sending and receiving of signals. Signals originate from the environment, or from other cells. These signals need to be transmitted through the cell membrane to instigate responses. Sometimes signals cross the membrane by themselves. In other instances the signals will function by combining with receptor proteins that are in contact with the interior and exterior of a cell. In such instances, only the cells which possess the right receptors on their membranes are able to respond to signals (Perbal, 18).

Once signals enter the cell they will, therefore, continue in their way with the destination of the signal being dependent on the nature of such signals. Some signals may, therefore, travel to different structures inside cells while some may travel to the cell nucleus. The process of movement of a signal inside the cell will, therefore, involve the passing of the signal from one protein to another. Each protein will, therefore, modify the next in a given way. Signals can be minimized or amplified as they are transferred from protein to protein with the minimization of amplification determining the response (Laub, 23). Collectively the protein which will help relay signals to their destination will comprise signaling pathways. Some signaling pathways might branch so as to send signals to different places in a cell. Signaling pathways can also be comprised of a few of numerous steps (Perbal, 19).

When a signal reaches its destination which is usually a protein it acts to change the behavior of a cell. The cell is always able to respond in different ways depending on the signaling proteins or molecules which are involved. For example, a signal may activate an enzyme which will then help break down a large molecule (Laub, 24). At a particular time, each cell will receive different combinations of signals which will lead to the triggering of numerous signaling pathways at a time. In each step of signaling pathways, the signals will get the opportunity for crosstalk which will allow varying signal pathways to instigate appropriate responses (Perbal, 21).

In summary, internal cell communication will involve signals from outside the cells being received by receptor proteins with these proteins forming signal pathways across the cell which transmit messages with the messages triggering cellular responses when they are received in their destinations. Cells also have the ability to integrate multiple signals at a time. Understanding the internal cell communication process is important to science as it helps scientists understand how different cellular components work such as macromolecules and organelles and also the effect of hormones and viruses on cells. This helps in the development of a cure for different diseases, infections and the management of different conditions in animals and even plants. For example, some treatments for human diseases are formulated to interfere with the communication between disease-causing viruses and cells. Understanding the process of internal cell communication is therefore central to the advancement of medicine in modern times.

Works Cited

Laub MT.Keeping Signals Straight: How Cells Process Information and Make Decisions. PLoS Biol 14(7) (2016).

Perbal, Bernard. “Communication is the key” Cell communication and signaling: CCS vol. 1,1  3. 27 Oct. 2003.