Download Name Bozeman – Evolutionary Significance of Cell Communication

Name ________________________________________
Bozeman – Evolutionary Significance of Cell Communication
Directions: Watch the following Paul Anderson video on cell communication and
answer the related questions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsGwgiIv_NU&feature=youtu.be
1. How do the bobtail squid and the bacteria Vibrio fischeri demonstrate an
example of mutualism?
2. How does cell communication exist between single celled organisms like
bacteria?
3. How does cell communication exist within a multicellular organism?
4. Why is it significant that signal transduction pathways are almost identical in
both single-celled and multicellular organisms? How does this relate to
evolution?
5. How do planktonic Vibrio fischeri differ from colonial organisms of the same
species in terms of their behavior?
6. What are “autoinducers”?
7. What is the significance of autoinducers being produced when populations of
Vibrio fischeri are large?
8. What does the enzyme “luciferase” do?
9. In summary, how do bacteria take a count of themselves, also known as
“quorum sensing”?
10. What does it mean to say that the adrenal glands participate in the “fight or
flight” response?
11. Explain the signal transduction pathway involving epinephrine to ultimately
produce an effect where sugar becomes available to give energy in
emergency situations.