Advanced Cell Biology: Exam 1 Study
Guide Questions with Actual Detailed
Answers 2025-2026 Updated.
Preparation for Asymmetric Cell Division of Stem Cells - Answer The cell becomes polarized,
with the cell-fate determinant localized on one side of the cell; the mitotic spindle is positioned
to orient the plane of cell division; thus, one daughter inherits the fate determinant to maintain
stem-cell identity
Asymmetric Cell Division of Stem Cells - Answer a process internal to the dividing stem cell
causes a biased inheritance of one or more important molecules that influences the fate of the
two daughter cells; produces one stem cell and one cell committed to differentiation
Problem with ACDSC - Answer Leaves little room for a tissue to adapt to changing conditions
Basic Components of Connective Tissue - Answer Formed from an extracellular matrix
produced by cells that are distributed sparsely in the matrix (ex: bone, tendon); the ECM bears
most of the mechanical stress to which the tissue is subjected; cell-matrix junctions link
connective tissue cells to the matrix
Basic Components of Epithelial Tissue - Answer Cells tightly bound together into sheets
where ECM is less pronounced, consisting mainly of a thin mat called the basal lamina
underlying the sheet
Cells and their cytoskeletons are attached to each other directly by cell-cell junctions, where
cytoskeletal filaments are anchored
Has tight junctions, adherens junctions, desmosomes, hemidesmosomes, gap junctions, and
actin-linked cell matrix junctions
Tight Junction (in Epithelial Tissue) - Answer Cell-cell junction that seals adjacent epithelial
cells together, preventing the passage of most dissolved molecules from one side of the
epithelial sheet to the other
, Hemidesmosome (in Epithelial Tissue) - Answer Anchors intermediate filaments in cell to
extracellular matrix
Gap Junction (in Epithelial Tissue) - Answer Allows the passage of small water-soluble
molecules from cell to cell
Actin-Linked Cell Matrix Junction (in Epithelial Tissue) - Answer Anchors actin filaments in
cell to extracellular matrix
Cadherins (P, E, N) - Answer Chiefly mediate cell to cell attachment
Depend upon Ca2+ as removing Ca2+ from the extracellular medium causes adhesions
mediated by cadherins to come apart
Each cadherin domain forms a more-or-less rigid unit, joined to the next cadherin domain by a
hinge
Do low affinity homophilic binding
Integrins - Answer Transmembrane heterodimers that chiefly mediate attachment of cells to
matrix (mechanical and molecular signals sent both directions across the plasma membrane)
and can convert one type into the other
Composed of two noncovalently associated glycoprotein subunits called α and β
Can switch between an active and an inactive conformation
Cluster to form strong adhesions by anchoring to cytoskeletal filaments, binding with low
affinity
Recruit intracellular signaling proteins at sites of cell-matrix adhesion
How Integrins Are Activated, How They Control Cell Proliferation, and How Adhesions Respond
Guide Questions with Actual Detailed
Answers 2025-2026 Updated.
Preparation for Asymmetric Cell Division of Stem Cells - Answer The cell becomes polarized,
with the cell-fate determinant localized on one side of the cell; the mitotic spindle is positioned
to orient the plane of cell division; thus, one daughter inherits the fate determinant to maintain
stem-cell identity
Asymmetric Cell Division of Stem Cells - Answer a process internal to the dividing stem cell
causes a biased inheritance of one or more important molecules that influences the fate of the
two daughter cells; produces one stem cell and one cell committed to differentiation
Problem with ACDSC - Answer Leaves little room for a tissue to adapt to changing conditions
Basic Components of Connective Tissue - Answer Formed from an extracellular matrix
produced by cells that are distributed sparsely in the matrix (ex: bone, tendon); the ECM bears
most of the mechanical stress to which the tissue is subjected; cell-matrix junctions link
connective tissue cells to the matrix
Basic Components of Epithelial Tissue - Answer Cells tightly bound together into sheets
where ECM is less pronounced, consisting mainly of a thin mat called the basal lamina
underlying the sheet
Cells and their cytoskeletons are attached to each other directly by cell-cell junctions, where
cytoskeletal filaments are anchored
Has tight junctions, adherens junctions, desmosomes, hemidesmosomes, gap junctions, and
actin-linked cell matrix junctions
Tight Junction (in Epithelial Tissue) - Answer Cell-cell junction that seals adjacent epithelial
cells together, preventing the passage of most dissolved molecules from one side of the
epithelial sheet to the other
, Hemidesmosome (in Epithelial Tissue) - Answer Anchors intermediate filaments in cell to
extracellular matrix
Gap Junction (in Epithelial Tissue) - Answer Allows the passage of small water-soluble
molecules from cell to cell
Actin-Linked Cell Matrix Junction (in Epithelial Tissue) - Answer Anchors actin filaments in
cell to extracellular matrix
Cadherins (P, E, N) - Answer Chiefly mediate cell to cell attachment
Depend upon Ca2+ as removing Ca2+ from the extracellular medium causes adhesions
mediated by cadherins to come apart
Each cadherin domain forms a more-or-less rigid unit, joined to the next cadherin domain by a
hinge
Do low affinity homophilic binding
Integrins - Answer Transmembrane heterodimers that chiefly mediate attachment of cells to
matrix (mechanical and molecular signals sent both directions across the plasma membrane)
and can convert one type into the other
Composed of two noncovalently associated glycoprotein subunits called α and β
Can switch between an active and an inactive conformation
Cluster to form strong adhesions by anchoring to cytoskeletal filaments, binding with low
affinity
Recruit intracellular signaling proteins at sites of cell-matrix adhesion
How Integrins Are Activated, How They Control Cell Proliferation, and How Adhesions Respond
