BY2EN1 Endocrinology Week 1 Each week, I will provide an overview of what will happen asynchronously (in your own time, at your own pace) and synchronously (live with me). Please make sure you have done any of the asynchronous work required before the synchronous session to make the most of it! When you are watching recordings, please do pause and make notes as well as clarifying things that you don't understand. The slides are all available on Blackboard. Asynchronously before the session Watch the Watch the recording entitled "Cell Surface Receptors". It may be useful to refresh your mind of the material about cell membranes you have learned in Year 1. Watch the recording entitled "Signalling Cascades". Produce your own diagram showing a generic signalling cascade. recording entitled "Second Messengers". Read the Module Specification and check your timetable! Read Cell Signalling (Lim) Chapter 1 (background), Chapter 6 (p. 135-141).
Add a specific example of a receptor and its signalling cascade to your diagram. Synchronous session - Thursday 1st October 3-4pm Attend the synchronous session (and take part!). 1.1 Cell Surface Receptors Lecture:
Cellular communication: . No cell exists in isolation · Signals must be received and processed from the environment from other cells. · Signals are generally transmitted across the environment in the form of soluble molecules · These molecules must be detected, and appropriate responses produced · The biggest barrier to this process is the cell membrane. Receptors and Ligands: The membrane is impermeable to large soluble molecules Some are transported across the membrane Others are detected outside the cell and a signal is transmitted into the cell. This is the role of receptors. A ligand is a molecule that binds to a receptor. Some receptors have more than one ligand, others can have just one. Different ligands can produce different responses at the same receptor, for example beta blockers, adrenaline stimulates receptors- flight or fight response, beta blockers block these receptors so adrenaline cannot bind to them, fight or flight response is switched off. Studying this is essential for pharmacology. Thousands of receptors exist in humans Detect vast array of signals such as: light, smell, taste, hormones, neurotransmitters, drugs, growth factors. Receptor Structure: · Generally integral (transmembrane) proteins- alpha helices and beta sheets that span the membrane. · Extracellular region detects ligands, intracellular region interacts with effectors. Signalling Pathways: