Cell Signaling. (2016). In M. S. Hill (Ed.), Biology (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 195-197).

Farmington

Hills, MI: Macmillan Reference USA. Retrieved from

http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3629800085/SCIC?u=glen20233&sid=SCIC&xid

=be8abf9c

The passage begins with an examination of Cell Signaling. Cell signaling is

communication between cells in order to maintain homeostasis. If Cell signaling was

compromised and cells could not conversate with each other, general or coordinated functions

could not be performed due to each cell needing each other in order to accomplish a goal. There

are two general types of cell signaling. The first is local signaling, and the second is long

distance signaling. Beginning with the first type, local signaling is conversation between cells

that are very close. This type of signaling does not require a specialized system in order to

transport messages. Within the subcategory of local signaling, there are two types of signaling

under that including paracrine signaling and autocrine signaling. Paracrine signaling is when one

cell releases a ligand(signaling molecule) in the environment. This ligand roams widely until it

interacts with an opposing cell’s receptor. Once the ligand binds to the receptor, a cellular

response is constructed. These cellular responses vary greatly from increasing mitosis to

increasing apoptosis. Autocrine signaling is the opposite of paracrine signaling. In autocrine

signaling, a ligand is realized inside the cell in order to elicit a cellular response that benefits the

cell. Moving on the long distance signaling, long distance signaling is the conversation of cells

that are far apart. This type of signaling uses a specialized system in order to move molecules.

Within long distance signaling, there is synaptic and endocrine signaling. Synaptic signaling

occurs typically with neurons and involves an action potential sending a message through the

long portion of a cell body. Once this action potential reaches the synapse, neurotransmitters are
released and are intercepted by an opposing cell. Endocrine signaling is when a hormone is sent

through a specific system in order to reach a cell.

Beginning with currency, this source was written 2 years ago. This source is current on

the topic of medicine as it reaches the five year rule put in place for scientificial studies. This

article contains recent information as it pertains to Cell signaling. In this article, the author is

simply presenting objective information and not taking sides on something that is fact. This

factual claim is however, supported throughout the article through applying real world situations

to the claim that is being made. For example, the article correlates paracrine signaling and wound

healing through explaining how wound healing is the result of a skin cell sending a ligand

resulting in rapid mitosis. The coverage can be considered broad and deep because the author

provides a multitude of topics ranging from local signaling to long distance signaling and

provides specific categories when describing specific types of signaling. Examples include

paracrine and autocrine signaling. The information contained in the source can be verified

elsewhere. For example, the author says that Paracrine signaling is a subcategory of local

signaling and is when a cell releases a ligand that binds to the receptor of another cell resulting in

a cellular response. This can be corroborated by Sougata Roy and Thomas B. Kornbergin in their

publication named Paracrine signaling mediated at cell-cell contacts when it is stated that

Paracrine signaling is a differing version of endocrine signaling when a molecule is secreted into

an extracellular environment and stimulates a cell by attaching to its receptors. The purpose of

this article is to inform an audience on how cell communication works and how cell

communication causes homeostasis to be maintained. The audience is for researching highschool

students for several reasons. the source has been placed on a high school database, has been

tagged by an intermediate reading level, and includes basic vocabulary. The article is
appropriate for this purpose and audience because it does not over complicate subjects, provides

examples of discussed ideas, and provides definitions for scientific phrases. For example, when

discussing autocrine signaling, an example stating that when cell division occurs and an error is

detected, a ligand is sent to itself in order to tell the cell to undergo apoptosis. The author,

Melissa Sue Hill , is qualified to discuss Cell Signaling because their experience includes the

writing of several other biology books. The author’s contact information is not provided

however, the site’s contact information is provided allowing one to question information or be

provided the author’s contact information.

Malaria. (2011). In D. S. Blanchfield (Ed.), Environmental Encyclopedia. Detroit, MI: Gale.

Retrieved from

http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CV2644150823/SCIC?u=glen20233&sid=SCIC&xid

=eefca029

Malaria is a serious disease caused by the parasite known as Plasmodium. Within this

parasitic family, there is variation with some parasites being Plasmodium falciparum, a strain

with a higher mortality rate, and others being Plasmodium vivax. Malaria is spread by

mosquitoes of the Anopheles family. The parasite resides in the mosquito’s saliva and is

transferred to humans once the mosquito bites said human. Once the human has contracted the

parasite, Plasmodium moves to the liver in order to go through a “mass production” phase. After

this phase, the Plasmodiums are released into the bloodstream and infiltrate the red blood cells.

They continue to reproduce and break these red blood cells causing symptoms like fever and

weakness. Then, after this takes place, the parasite is transported out of the patient through the

bite of a mosquito. This process is then repeated. Certain prevention methods have been
implemented like the use of insecticide in order to kill mosquitos and the placement of clothes in

order to prevent a mosquito bite. Drugs have been used to combat Plasmodium however,

Plasmodium with a resistance to these drugs have been created.

Beginning with currency, this source was written or updated less than 1 year ago. This

source is current on the topic of medicine as this fits within the 5 year rule that is present for

scientific articles. Moving on to coverage, this source is simply presenting objective information

and thus, can not take a side. The author’s claim is based on this objective information and it is

supported by reasoning and evidence. For example, when making the claim of the disease

affecting millions of people, data, like 480,000 children are killed by Malaria each year and half

of the world’s population is at risk for Malaria, is given and reasoning behind the mechanism

explains that claim. The coverage can be considered broad and deep because multiple strains of

Malaria are discussed and the characteristics of each one is explained specifically. Examples of

this include mortality rate and their disease mechanism. The information contained in the source

can be verified elsewhere. For example, the author says that Plasmodium is spread through the

saliva of mosquitoes, resides in the liver for mass reproduction, is introduced to the bloodstream,

inhabits red blood cells, and causes them to burst. This can be corroborated by the CDC in their

publication named Malaria in which they state that Malaria is spread through the saliva of female

mosquitos and eventually infiltrates the red blood cells. The purpose of this article is to educate

and inform the audience about Malaria. The audience is researching high school students. This

was able to be determined through a variety of ways. Firstly, the article is located in a database

designed for high schools. Lastly, complicated scientific words are provided a limited definition.

The article is appropriate for this purpose and audience because the site follows a simple cause

and effect structure. For example, as stated in the article, drugs had been administered in order to
deal with Malaria however, as a result of the genetic variation, drug resistant Plasmodium was

created. The author, Deirdre S. Blanchfield, is qualified to discuss Malaria because their

experience includes the publication of several books ranging from The Gale Encyclopedia of

Medicine Volume 5 to Environmental Encyclopedia. The author’s contact information is not

provided however, the site’s contact information is provided allowing one to question

information or be provided the author’s contact information.