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Related Concept Videos

Diversity in Cell Signaling Responses01:22

Diversity in Cell Signaling Responses

The physiological function of a cell and cellular communication are outcomes of a range of extrinsic signals, intracellular signaling pathways, and cellular responses. No two cell types express the same repertoire of signaling components. Receptors are highly selective for their cognate ligands, but once activated, they can alter multiple cellular processes such as DNA transcription, protein synthesis, and metabolic activity. 
Graded and Abrupt Responses
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Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate with the environment.
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Overview of Cell Signaling01:23

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Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate with the environment.
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Decision-making is a fundamental cognitive process that involves evaluating alternatives and selecting among them. This process can range from simple choices, such as deciding what to wear, to complex decisions, like choosing a major in college or a career path. The complexity of the decision often dictates the approach we use, which can be broadly categorized into two types: automatic and controlled decision-making.
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Despite the protective membrane that separates a cell from the environment, cells need the ability to detect and respond to environmental changes. Additionally, cells often need to communicate with one another. Unicellular and multicellular organisms use a variety of cell signaling mechanisms to communicate to respond to the environment.
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Rapid Development of Cell State Identification Circuits with Poly-Transfection
09:21

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Published on: February 24, 2023

Strategies for cellular decision-making.

Theodore J Perkins1, Peter S Swain

  • 1Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Molecular Systems Biology
|November 19, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Cellular decision-making relies on probabilistic strategies to interpret noisy signals, weigh response costs and benefits, and navigate competitive environments. These conserved strategies link systems and evolutionary biology to understand biological design.

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Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Systems Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Stochasticity is inherent in cellular processes, from signal reception to biochemical reactions and environmental interactions.
  • Understanding cellular decision-making requires integrating molecular details with information-processing strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review progress in understanding cellular information-processing strategies influenced by stochasticity.
  • To propose a framework for cellular decision-making at three probabilistic levels.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on cellular stochasticity and decision-making.
  • Theoretical framework development for probabilistic cellular decision-making.

Main Results:

  • Cellular decision-making is fundamentally probabilistic, occurring at three levels: inferring environmental states, weighing response costs/benefits, and managing competition.
  • Cooperative responses, including apparent altruism, are discussed within the context of competitive decision-making.

Conclusions:

  • Cellular decision-making strategies are likely conserved across organisms, implemented via diverse biochemical mechanisms.
  • Identifying these strategies offers a powerful coarse-graining approach to link systems and evolutionary biology for understanding biological design.