Ch. 11 AP Bio Cell Communication

Front

What is cell communication?

Back

Cell communication refers to the various ways in which cells can send and receive signals to coordinate their functions and activities.

Front

What is a ligand?

Back

A ligand is a signaling molecule that binds to a receptor to initiate a cellular response.

Front

What role do receptors play in cell communication?

Back

Receptors are proteins on the cell surface or inside the cell that bind to ligands and trigger a response.

Front

What is the function of protein kinases?

Back

Protein kinases are enzymes that transfer phosphate groups from ATP to specific proteins, activating or deactivating them.

Front

What is a phosphorylation cascade?

Back

A phosphorylation cascade is a series of chemical reactions in a cell where one enzyme activates another by adding a phosphate group, amplifying the signal.

Front

What is the difference between autocrine and paracrine signaling?

Back

Autocrine signaling occurs when a cell targets itself, while paracrine signaling involves communication between nearby cells.

Front

What is the significance of signal amplification in cell communication?

Back

Signal amplification allows a small number of signaling molecules to produce a large response, enhancing the effectiveness of the signal.

Front

What is the role of G-proteins in cell signaling?

Back

G-proteins act as molecular switches that relay signals from receptors to target proteins inside the cell.

Front

What is the difference between a primary messenger and a secondary messenger?

Back

A primary messenger is the initial signaling molecule (like a hormone), while a secondary messenger is a molecule that relays the signal inside the cell (like cAMP).

Front

What is the function of phosphatases in cell signaling?

Back

Phosphatases are enzymes that remove phosphate groups from proteins, often reversing the action of kinases.