Essay --

Efficient communication between cells is crucial in governing cellular activities. Cytokines are a key element of the cell signaling process and mediate communication among cells. Cytokines are a type of small proteins released by cells that have an effect on the behavior of other cells. There are several different types of cytokines including interleukins, interferons, and tumour necrosis factor. Many different types of cells can produce cytokines, such as immune cells like macrophages, mast cells, and B lymphoctyes. Cytokines are especially important in the immune system because they help coordinate that balance between the cell-based immune response and the humoral immune response. There are several different factors that go into play in the function of cytokines and their effect. There are many different types of cytokines, and each cytokines has a matching cell-surface receptor. Cytokines bind to specific receptors on target cells with high affinity. Cascades of intercellular signaling following then have an effect on the function of cells. Depending on what type of cytokines,...