Cell Signaling

Front

What are the three stages of cell signaling?

Back

Reception, Transduction, and Response.

Front

What is a ligand?

Back

A signal molecule that binds to a plasma-membrane protein.

Front

What is the role of receptors in cell signaling?

Back

Receptors are proteins that bind to signaling molecules (ligands) and initiate a cellular response.

Front

What is signal transduction?

Back

The process by which a cell converts an external signal into a functional response.

Front

What is the difference between paracrine and endocrine signaling?

Back

Paracrine signaling involves local signaling between cells, while endocrine signaling involves hormones traveling through the bloodstream to distant target cells.

Front

What is a hormone?

Back

A chemical message that usually travels through the bloodstream to target cells.

Front

What is amplification in signal transduction pathways?

Back

The process by which a small number of signaling molecules can produce a large response in the target cell.

Front

How do different cell types respond differently to the same hormone?

Back

Different cell types have different signal transduction pathways, leading to varied cellular responses.

Front

What is a second messenger?

Back

A small molecule that relays signals received at receptors on the cell surface to target molecules inside the cell.

Front

What is the function of protein kinases in cell signaling?

Back

Protein kinases are enzymes that modify other proteins by adding phosphate groups, which can activate or deactivate signaling pathways.