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Biology

Cells

How do cells communicate with each other?

Cells communicate with each other via small, signaling molecules that are produced by specific cells and received by target cells. This communication system operates on both a local and long-distance level. The signaling molecules can be proteins, fatty acid derivatives, or gases. Nitric oxide is an example of a gas that is part of a locally based signaling system and is able to signal for a human being’s blood pressure to be lowered. Hormones are long-distance signaling molecules that must be transported via the circulatory system from their production site to their target cells. Plant cells, because of their rigid cell walls, have cytoplasmic bridges called plasmodesmata that allow cell-to-cell communication. Animals use gap junctions to transfer material between adjacent cells.



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