Cellular Communication Assingment

INTRODUCTION

By doing the activities in this lesson, you will gain a great understanding of the cell as part of a larger system or community. You will examine two types of cell communication—hormone and nerve signaling. 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. As you work through this packet, record your answers to the questions in your lab notebook. The lab notebook will be collected and graded on the project due date.

EXPLORATION

To begin your exploration, go toCell Communication: The Inside Story, from Scientific American. You should read the first three paragraphs and study the introductory illustration. (There are 18 copies of this article for the class to use – located on front desk.)

Once you've read the first three paragraphs, go to page 6 of the article and read "Getting a Line on Human Diseases."

As you are reading, you should think about and record your thoughts to these questions:

  1. How are the two cells in the illustration communicating with one another?
  1. What are the messenger molecules? (e.g. hormones or neurotransmitters)
  1. Why might one cell need to communicate with another cell?
  1. How is our normal body functioning dependent upon cellular communication?
  1. What can happen when cell communication breaks down?
  1. What types of diseases occur as a result of a breakdown of cellular communication?

Diseases of Faulty Cell Communication (neural communication &hormonal communication)

Resources for “Disease of Faulty Cell Communication”

Neuron Conversations: How Brain Cells Communication -

About MS(National Multiple Sclerosis Society); Follow the sequence: "What is MS", "What causes MS"...through "Diagnosis" to learn about MS -

Normal Regulation of Blood Glucose -

What is Insulin? -

Introduction to Diabetes -

NEURAL COMMUNICATION

How do Nerve Cells Communicate?

  1. Nerve cells are also called ______.
  1. Draw a diagram of a neuron. Label the dendrites, nucleus, cell body, axon, myelin sheath, axon terminal, and direction of impulse.
  1. Describe how neurotransmitters relay messages from one neuron to another.

About MS

  1. Describe how Multiple Sclerosis (MS) occurs.
  1. How can MS affect people physically?

MS FAQs

  1. How many people in the United States are diagnosed with MS every year?
  1. Why is MS known as an “autoimmune” disease? What tissues are specifically targeted in the case of MS?
  1. Can people with MS participate in normal society functions? Explain why or why not.

HORMONAL COMMUNICATION

Normal Regulation of Blood Glucose

  1. What are the two hormones that regulate blood sugar (glucose)?
  1. Which endocrine gland produces the two hormones?
  1. When blood sugar is high, which hormone is secreted?
  1. Which cells and/or tissues does this hormone target?
  1. When blood sugar is low, which hormone is secreted?
  2. Which cells and/or tissues does this hormone target?

What is Insulin?

  1. Where is the pancreas located?
  1. When insulin is released into the bloodstream, how does it signal to cells in the body to take up glucose?
  1. Describe Type I diabetes.
  2. Describe Type 2 diabetes.
  1. Explain how insulin is manufactured currently.

Introduction to Diabetes

  1. How many people in America are affected by diabetes?
  1. What body tissues and/or organs can be affected in diabetes?

Factors that Disrupt Cell Communication

INTRODUCTION

You should use the resources about the factors that disrupt cell (web address next to the headings) to help you answer the questions in this section.

NEURAL COMMUNICATION

Neuroscience for Kids

  1. What is the chemical name for heroin?
  1. From which plant is heroin made? In what parts of the world is this plant found?
  1. Heroin is a member of what general class of drugs?
  1. The receptors for heroin and other members of this class of drugs are located on neurons of parts of the brain. What aspects of human life do these parts of the brain control?
  1. What are endorphins? When are they released?
  1. Briefly state the history of opium use.
  1. What other drugs besides heroin are produced from the opium plant?
  1. In what year was the manufacture and possession of heroin made illegal in the United States?
  1. What are some long- and short-term effects of heroin use?
  1. Heroin and other opiates interfere mostly with what neurotransmitter in the brain?

HORMONAL COMMUNICATION

Treatment Defeats Phony Hormones

  1. How have animals been affected by endocrine disruptor chemicals spilled by humans?
  2. Describe the four types of endocrine disruptors with molecular structures similar to that of hormones.
  1. Why are small doses of endocrine disruptors so dangerous to animals?
  1. Describe the three ways endocrine disruptors can interfere with normal hormonal signaling.
  1. What is DDT?
  1. How did DDT affect hormonal signaling in eagles and peregrine falcons?
  1. How has the eagle population fared since DDT use was banned?

Grading Rubric for Lab Notebook: 60 points

a. All questions on this handout answered 1 to 44 (44 points – 1pt/correct answer)

b. Staying on task to complete questions. This part of the assignment should take no more than 2 classes /4 periods (16 points)

INTRODUCTION to Project

As you have learned, hormonal and neural communication is essential for normal body functioning in all animals, including humans. Two examples of diseases in which cell-to-cell communication is disrupted are diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS). Cellular communication can also be disrupted by environmental factors such as drugs. Heroin and DDT are examples of chemicals that resemble normal neurotransmitters and hormones, respectively. As a result, they disrupt the functioning of the brain and endocrine system.

The class will work in groups of 2, researching cell communication. Your group can choose to research a disease in which normal cellular communication is disrupted or may instead research a drug that disrupts cell-to-cell communication. A list of approved topics is on the next page…

The final presentation will be due on ______. Each group must present its research on a large poster board. The following must be included on the poster board:

  • Name of disease or drug researched
  • Description of disease or drug
  • Symptoms associated with disease or drug
  • How many people in the United States (and the world, if possible) are affected by the disease or drug
  • Exactly how the disease or drug disrupts normal cell communication (A colorful and descriptive diagram will be helpful here)
  • Treatments

Hypothyroidism / Hyperthyroidism / Cancer / Addison’s Disease
Cushings Syndrome / Epilepsy / Lyme Disease / Parkinson’s & Ca channels
Cystic Fibriosis / Caffeine / Amphetamines / Nicotine
Botulinum neurotoxin / Cocaine / Salmonella: Inter-bacterial communication / “One Rotten Apple Spoils the Barrel” (ethylene)
Phototropism (aucxin) / Muscle Contraction (acetylcholine) / Acromegaly / Other - Must be approved

The following are some website suggestions to help you begin your research. Do not limit yourself to the information on these sites. It is best to use sites that are part of a medical community (such as a university or medical school) or a large organization (such as the Multiple Sclerosis Association). Consult your teacher if you are unsure of the information on a particular website.

  • Neuroscience for Kids: Explore the Brain and Spinal Cord
  • NIH (NIDDK): Endocrine and Metabolic Disease
  • EndocrineWeb.com
  • CBR, Tulane, and Xavier Universities: Environmental Estrogens and Other Hormones
Topic chosen by group ______

Project Guidelines & Grading:

A. Logistics

1. Topics: “Luck of the Draw” or “First Come First Serve”

2. All topics will be researched only once by one group in each AP Bio class.

3. Two days to work in class, to prepare poster, and to prepare class presentation

B. The Goals

1. Your responsibility is to develop a tri-fold that explains the basics of the topic and its relationship to a cell communication pathway. Pictures and graphics are also necessary along with background research. I do not expect you to work at the graduate level on this project, but I do expect you to be able to explain, in your own words, the basics of the mechanism.

2. You will be responsible for all the topics presented by all the groups in each class. The tri-folds will be on display in the classroom. You will have to find time to study the tri-folds and take notes if you wish.

3. If, as you are researching, you don’t understand something being discussed, you will have to do further research so that you develop an understanding of the topic so that you can share the information in your own words.

C. Grading Rubric: Total of 80 points

1. Poster: 20 points

a. Tri-fold (will be provided)

b. Typed headings

c. Pictures and graphics as needed

d. Text MUST be in your own words – NO cutting and pasting!!!

e. Neatness – including no spelling and grammatical errors

f. Organization – poster “flow” is organized and logical – remember other students will be studying your poster

2. Content: 35 points

a. Basics of topic

b. Cell signaling pathway involved

i. Signal mechanism (What is the ligand?)

ii. Type of receptor

iii. Basics of signal transduction pathway

iv. Specifics of cellular response and organismal response

c. Correct mechanism

d. Faulty mechanism (if this pertains to your topic)

e. Graphics of pathway

f. Current direction of research

3. Presentation: 15 points

a. 5-7 minute presentation of poster to class

b. Each member of group participates

c. Ability to put content into your own words and explain your poster

d. No direct reading from poster – make notes for yourself

4. Research time: 10 points

a. Staying on task in computer lab/classroom in preparation of project; This part of the assignment should take 2 classes (4 period)

b. Asking questions as needed

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